Autumn Statement: Government to push ahead with plans for Sizewell C

17 November 2022, 13:28 GMT

Updated 29 minutes ago

Image source, Kate Scotter/BBC

Image caption,

The site for Sizewell C, near existing nuclear power plant buildings on the Suffolk coast

The chancellor has reaffirmed the government’s backing for a Sizewell C nuclear plant in his Autumn Statement.

Jeremy Hunt said the £20bn project was the “only one way to stop being at the mercy of international gas prices”.

Energy firm EDF had said the new plant would generate about 7% of the UK’s electricity needs.

However, Stop Sizewell C campaigners said the proposed plant’s “ultimate cost and technical reliability are very uncertain”.

Image caption,

Sizewell C, on the right, would be built next to Sizewell B, centre, which is still generating, and Sizewell A, far left, which is being decommissioned

New large-scale nuclear plants have been a key part of a government strategy to help reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and Mr Johnson previously declared it was his intention to build eight new reactors in the next eight years.

While campaigning for the Conservative leadership in the summer, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also pledged to uphold Mr Johnson’s plans.

In his Autumn Statement, Mr Hunt said that while “Britain is a global leader in renewable energy” he insisted that “we need to go further, with a major acceleration of home-grown technologies like offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and, above all, nuclear”.

He said the project will “deliver new jobs, industries, and export opportunities and secure the clean, affordable energy we need to power our future economy and reach net zero by 2050.

“Subject to final government approvals, the contracts for the initial investment will be signed with relevant parties, including EDF, in the coming weeks, it will create 10,000 highly skilled jobs and provide reliable, low-carbon, power to the equivalent of six million homes for over 50 years.

“Our £700m investment is the first state backing for a nuclear project in over 30 years and represents the biggest step in our journey to energy independence.”

A spokeswoman for the Sizewell C project said it was “delighted” with the chancellor’s message and said it would “look forward to concluding negotiations in the coming weeks”.

“Progressing the project will deliver thousands of rewarding jobs for local people and a massive boost for skills and the supply chain in the region,” she said.

“Suffolk has shown its support with 61% in favour of Sizewell C and with government support our work can continue to deliver on our commitments to the county.”

Image source, Andrew Woodger/BBC

Image caption,

Sizewell C would be built just south of RSPB Minsmere

An outstanding final decision on further investment would be made in the next 12 to 18 months, EDF said.

Sue Ferns, from the engineering union Prospect, welcomed the chancellor’s statement but said “merely restating previous announcements is not enough”.

“When are we going to get confirmation of the government investment decision?” she said.

“Potential investors are seeking assurances now and without their commitment, dependent on a firm decision from the government, the project risks being holed below the waterline.”

Campaign group, Stop Sizewell C, said that if the chancellor is “looking for cheap, reliable, energy independence, he is backing the wrong project”.

“Sizewell C’s ultimate cost and technical reliability are very uncertain and building it is reliant on French state-owned EDF,” a statement said.

“Greenlighting Sizewell C also loads more tax onto struggling households, who would be forced to pay a nuclear levy on bills for a decade before they could light a single lightbulb.”

It added that the group would “keep fighting this huge black hole for taxpayers’ money, when there are cheaper, quicker ways to get to net zero”.