It is an exciting time in Welsh construction right now. Despite the traditional quiet time over the summer there is a great sense of what the next six to 12 months might bring. 

We have already seen a positive reaction to this year’s published Welsh Local Authorities Capital Programme that provides visibility to almost £3bn of local government capital investment in Wales over the next four years. It also provides a link to a new programme, based on the major local authority projects in the WIIP pipeline, to further assist visibility of the pipeline in Wales, something vital to everyone in the supply chain to allow for proper planning of resources.

But last week we also saw news about Hitachi’s £8bn Wylfa nuclear plant in Anglesey. Allegedly, Hitachi is in 'exclusive' Wylfa talks with Bechtel and JGC regarding the engineering, procurement and construction contractor role on what will be a project of huge importance to local contractors. Whilst Bechtel normally shuns publicity, it has an enormous reputation for projects across the world – including transport infrastructure schemes in London – often working with local firms. JGC is new to nuclear power.

Any big scheme demands a best practice approach and Hitachi, Bechtel and JGC and other main players will always seek evidence of the right way of working. So, what better certification of excellence than a CEW Award? And there is no time like the present to begin planning entries for the 2016 awards.

Find out more from our team, read the article in the newsletter and keep a close eye out for confirmed details of the awards event at the Celtic Manor on Friday15th July 2016 and the call for entries in January next year – then SAVE THE DATE!