The development of a new Sizewell C power station on the Suffolk coast could bring hundreds of new jobs to Ipswich, it has emerged.

Ipswich Star: A computer-generated image of how the Sizewell nuclear complex would look after construction of Sizewell C. Image: EDF EnergyA computer-generated image of how the Sizewell nuclear complex would look after construction of Sizewell C. Image: EDF Energy (Image: Archant)

But the town could have to fight off interest from both Colchester and Chelmsford to become home to a new administration centre for both Sizewell and another power station at Bradwell, near Maldon, in Essex.

French government-owned EDF has opened a 700-job administration centre for the new Hinkley Point power station in Somerset and a similar centre is expected to be needed for Sizewell C and Bradwell.

Although it would need to be within easy distance of the project, it would not need to be on the same site.

Jobs would last for up to 10 years while the power stations are being built – and could be longer if they overlap.

It is thought the number of administrators would be about 100 at the start of the project before increasing to 700 at the maximum before tailing off as the projects near completion.

A spokeswoman for EDF said it was far too soon to be talking about the number of jobs that would be created or where the administration centre might be.

However she did confirm that a centre would be needed somewhere in the region to handle all the administrative tasks including hiring engineers and builders, arranging contracts, and liaising with official bodies.

“We have a centre in Bristol and we would need something similar if work goes ahead – but for the next few months we are concentrating on our consultation work,” she said.

Ipswich has vacant office blocks in easy reach of the station and main roads – and the borough council owns more land in the Princes Street area which is earmarked for further office development.

However Ipswich Borough Council leader David Ellesmere was cautious about the opportunities for the town.

He said: “We are aware that EDF will be looking for somewhere but we are also aware that other places will also be trying to attract them as well.”

Sizewell C is to cost £16bn, take up to nine years to build, and involve 25,000 workers across the country over this period – around 5,600 at peak construction times. Around 900 permanent jobs will be created when the power station is operational.