EDF Energy has given its strongest signal yet of its commitment to the Hinkley C project with the announcement of the preferred bidder for the scheme's £2 billion civil works contract.

Bouygues TP/Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture - the company behind EDF's new nuclear plant at Flammanville in France and the London 2012 Olympic Park - has been chosen to construct the nuclear island, conventional island and supporting structures at Hinkley.

The 'islands' are needed to support the actual nuclear power station and associated turbine hall, where heat generated from the nuclear process will be converted into electricity.

The scale of the work will involve enough steel reinforcement equivalent to building up to nine HMS Illustrious aircraft carriers - with enough left over to build five London Eyes.

Each nuclear island will be the equivalent size of St Paul's Cathedral in London, while enough concrete will be poured to fill Twickenham Rugby Stadium to roof level.

However, the bulk of the work is still subject to planning approval, while EDF has yet to take its final investment decision on the Hinkley C project itself.

That decision will hinge on the scale of Government energy reforms and is expected later this year, as is a ruling from the national Planning Inspectorate on whether the new station can be built at all.

But, providing everything goes according to plan, the Bouygues TP/Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture aspect of the work is expected to create 4,000 jobs.

Of those, 3,000 will be construction workers and EDF said many would come from Somerset.

Although the contract has yet to be signed, EDF has entered into a preliminary agreement with the joint venture companies to work on the development of the detailed design, construction methodology and works programme.

The firm said the agreement would improve cost effectiveness and improve the deliverability of the project.

An EDF spokesman said: "It will also ensure early identification of any issues, that the best processes and people are in place as early as possible and early engagement can begin with the local community and supply chain.

"As part of an embedded project partnership with EDF Energy, this progressive agreement will further enhance the project's contribution and ensure that Hinkley Point C is fully prepared for efficient and expert construction."

The Bouygues TP/Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture contract is the first relating to the main construction works, which will ultimately see up to 25,000 jobs, including 400 apprenticeships for civil works, created over the course of the project.

Kier BAM has been awarded the £100 million plus contract to carry out more general site preparation works, while £15 million will be used to create a world class nuclear training centre in partnership with Bridgwater College.

EDF said it expected further apprenticeships and skills development opportunities in other parts of the project and it was working closely with local colleges, future employers and trades unions.

EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: "The agreements announced today show we are continuing to maintain momentum in 2012 towards our final investment decision.

"We will work with Bouygues TP/Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture over the next few months to ensure we are in the best possible position to begin work on site once the investment framework and permissions are in place.

"This was a close, very competitive tender which attracted some high quality and robustly-costed bids.

"So much has been achieved on site already and we now have a strong partner in Bouygues TP/Laing O'Rourke Joint Venture to help to plan the next phase of works."

He said the £2 billion contract would help the UK's economic recovery both nationally and locally and added: "Our project will inject billions of pounds into the economy, revitalise entire sectors of industry and support tens of thousands of further jobs.

"2012 is a defining year for new nuclear. We will continue our discussions with Government about agreeing a legally robust investment framework.

" A huge amount remains to be done but we are determined to do it."

If built, Hinkley C will provide enough electricity to power five million homes and provide thousands of jobs for local people, however, the construction phase will also affect the lives of thousands more people for many years to come.

Adrian Dyer, chief executive of West Somerset Council, said he welcomed the announcement and the progress it represented.

But he said he hoped the deal also signalled "positive progress" on "outstanding issues" that would impact on local communities.

He said: "We welcome EDF Energy's commitment to early engagement with the supply chain.

"If our community is to host this massive, nationally significant project, it is essential that local businesses are involved as soon as possible.

"Local people, who will have to bear any negative impacts, deserve a share of any economic benefits and an early boost to the economy, as well as support into the future.

"We remain committed to working with partners and EDF Energy to try to minimise the negative impacts concerning, for example, transport and accommodation.

"With this appointment, we hope for positive progress on some of the outstanding issues that will inevitably affect our residents and communities."

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey signalled the Government's support for the nuclear industry when he too welcomed EDF's announcement.

He said: "I want to see new nuclear come forward as part of our future energy mix and for the UK to be a leading global destination for investment in new build.

"The announcement by EDF Energy of a preferred bidder for their multi-billion pound construction contract for Hinkley Point is clear evidence of their commitment to nuclear in the UK and shows the huge investment and job opportunities new nuclear can bring across the country."

Ray O'Rourke, chairman and chief executive of Laing O'Rourke, said he was delighted to be part of a scheme to provide a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK.

"We look forward to bringing this nationally strategic project into successful reality.

"Through our direct delivery capability and investment in a new generation of engineering jobs and skills, we have the opportunity to create a valuable legacy that is so critical to the future success of the UK nuclear industry," he said.