VodafoneThree has secured a tier one contractor role on the Sizewell C project, the new 3.2 GW nuclear power station under construction on the Suffolk coast. Once operational, Sizewell C is expected to generate 7% of the UK’s electricity—enough to power six million homes for at least 60 years—while preventing nine million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
In the first phase of the partnership, VodafoneThree will install two masts on the Sizewell C site to deliver 5G coverage to both the construction area and surrounding community. Its partner, Fern Communications (now part of OEG), will deploy radio equipment to eliminate communication black spots across the sprawling site.
The enhanced mobile network will improve coordination among construction teams, speed data exchange, and boost overall productivity. VodafoneThree will also deploy fibre across the site, enabling Wi-Fi connectivity to local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), complementing 5G coverage for further operational efficiency.
Connectivity work began in November 2024 and aims to support site safety, security, and construction efficiency, while offering faster, more reliable service to local residents and businesses—an infrastructure upgrade expected to benefit the local economy.
“Connectivity is vital for this project,” said Damian Leydon, Sizewell C Site Delivery Director. “High-quality, reliable connection helps us to operate at the highest standards of safety and efficiency. So, it’s an important step to be working with VodafoneThree and Fern Communications to provide what we need on site. And it has the added benefit of providing 5G for the local area too: another great example of how benefits to the project can go hand-in-hand with benefits for the local community.”
Sizewell C, majority-owned by the UK government, is central to the country’s clean energy strategy for 2030 and long-term energy independence. It is set to create thousands of jobs, deliver 1,500 apprenticeships, and award 70% of construction contracts to British suppliers. To date, the project has awarded £4 billion in contracts to over 300 UK suppliers and spent £330 million with 77 regional firms, including 41 in Suffolk.
“We are delighted to be the connectivity partner for Sizewell C,” said Nick Gliddon, Business Director, VodafoneThree. “Alongside our contractors, we will deliver robust, secure, and resilient communications infrastructure that is essential to the success of one of the UK’s most significant energy projects and to support the UK’s transition to cleaner energy. This partnership underscores our commitment to enhancing connectivity across the country, ensuring that communities and businesses in Suffolk and beyond can benefit from the advancements in technology and infrastructure that Sizewell C will bring.”
Local specialist Fern Communications will handle on‑site radio connectivity. “As a Suffolk-based company with a diverse workforce and deep roots in the energy industry, we are thrilled to partner with VodafoneThree on a project of such national importance,” said Clive Cushion, Technical Director at Fern Communications. “Our mission is to deliver an unparalleled communications system that will support Sizewell C’s operational efficiency, safety, and long-term success.”
VodafoneThree’s involvement at Sizewell C builds on its growing role in the UK energy sector, including recent SP Energy Networks and Hinkley Point C partnerships. The operator now works with all UK electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks, supporting infrastructure for over 22 million households and businesses.
