Sizewell C nuclear power station gets green light in Autumn Statement

The Sizewell C nuclear power station project will go ahead, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed in the Autumn Statement.

Plans for the new nuclear plant in Suffolk had appeared to be under threat, after the BBC recently reported that a government official had told it that every major project – including Sizewell C – was under review as ministers tried to cut spending.

But the chancellor gave the project the green light as he spoke in the House of Commons today (17 November).

“Today I can announce the government will proceed with a new nuclear power plant at Sizewell C. Subject to final government approvals, the contracts for the initial investment will be signed with relevant parties, including EDF, in the coming weeks,” he said. “This will create 10,000 highly-skilled jobs, and provide reliable, low-carbon power to the equivalent of six million homes for 50 years.”

The government’s £700m investment “represents the biggest step in our journey to energy independence,” he added.

The new plant, which will be built next to Sizewell B, will use two European pressurised water reactors (EPRs) for a 3.2GW capacity. The same EPR design is being used at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, EDF said, helping lower construction and financing costs.

The power station, which has a construction cost of £20bn according to the FT, could provide up to 7% of the UK’s electricity needs.

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