Small and medium-sized firms in Suffolk could join forces to put together consortium bids in order to compete against larger, national, companies for work in connection with the Sizewell C nuclear power station project.

EDF Energy, which is currently conducting a second phase of consultation on the project, due to close on February 3, is working with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to promote opportunities in the supply chain.

Nearly 250 people today attended a breakfast event jointly hosted by the two organisations at Trinity Park, Ipswich, to hear more about the opportunities available and details of newly re-launched online “portal” where firms can register their interest.

Jim Crawford, Sizewell C project development director at EDF Energy, said that in Somerset, where EDF has committed to building a new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, similar to that proposed at Sizewell, local and regional firms have already secured contracts worth around £460m.

“We might be a big company but we are a local company as well and we want to work with the local business community to make Sizewell C happen,” he said.

John Dugmore, chief executive at Suffolk Chamber, added that five consortia of smaller firms in Somerset had been named as preferred bidders for £225m-worth of work in connec tion with Hinkley Point C.

The portal via which local firms can register their interest in Sizewell C can be found at www.sizewellcsupplychain.co.uk. It is now searcheable by category as well as by company name and key word, adding to the potential benefit of registering.

Mr Dugmore added: “Remember, 80% of the work in building and running a nuclear power station comes from ‘non-nuclear’ businesses.”

“I would urge every business in Suffolk to think about the opportunities that Sizewell C presents to them and sign up to the supply chain website sooner rather than later. Sizewell C promises to be a business power house as well as a new power station.”