EDF Energy has selected additional preferred bidders, marking a step ahead in making a final investment decision for the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in the UK.

The preferred bidders include Balfour Beatty Bailey joint venture involving Balfour Beatty and NG Bailey for electrical cabling and equipment installation, and Cavendish Boccard Nuclear joint venture comprising Cavendish Nuclear and Boccard for mechanical pipework and equipment installation.

Actan joint venture comprising Doosan Babcock, Renfrew and Crawley was selected for heating, ventilation and air conditioning; Laing O’Rourke for construction of workers’ campus accommodation, ABB for power transmission, and Premier Interlink WACO for construction of temporary buildings.

Weir will supply large pumps for cooling water while SPX ClydeUnion Pumps will provide main pumps for feedwater system and cooling water system.

EDF Energy CEO Vincent de Rivaz, said: "The project will boost industrial stamina in the UK and kick-start the new nuclear program.

"Experience gained at Hinkley Point will help firms be successful in nuclear projects around the world."

The contracts worth more than £1.3bn, 60% of which are with UK-based companies, is subject to a final investment decision on the project.

Designed to provide reliable, low carbon electricity, the power plant is expected to create 25,000 jobs during construction phase.

G4S and Aggregate have already begun work on the project for security as well as construction of the Cannington bypass, park & rides and highway improvements, respectively.

Additionally, EDF signed project management contracts with a number of UK firms including KBR for site operations and equipment contract management, Jacobs for building and civil work management, Turner and Townsend for project controls and project management as well as Gleeds, Mace and Faithful+Gould for contract management services.

Contracts worth more than £225m have also been signed with local companies close to the Hinkley Point C site in Somerset to supply site services, transport and accommodation.

UK Energy and Climate Change Minister Andrea Leadsom said: "As part of our long-term plan to support the industries of the future, create jobs and provide secure, affordable energy supplies for hardworking families and businesses, we are backing our nuclear sector by fostering innovation and opportunity as we cut carbon emissions."