Green Light for Works at Sizewell C Nuclear Project in U.K.

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Construction can get under way at the U.K.'s newest nuclear power project, Sizewell C in Suffolk, England, following the issuing of a Development Consent Order (DCO).

Sizewell C will boast two European Pressurized Reactor-2 (EPR2) reactors from French developer Electricité de France (EDF) (Paris, France), which will produce 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, enough to power the equivalent of around 6 million homes. The government has also committed to making an additional £1.3 billion (US$1.64 billion) available to support the project, coming on top of £1.2 billion (US$1.5 billion) committed since 2022. It said that the release of funds following the DCO will allow early construction works to continue ahead of a final investment decision later this year. It forms a key part of the government's recently announced plan for the country's biggest expansion in nuclear capacity in 70 years. For additional information, see January 19, 2024, article - U.K. Promises Biggest Nuclear Expansion in 70 Years.

Sizewell C will be identical to the Hinkley Point C plant, which EDF is currently building in Somerset, and represents the next major step in the U.K.'s goal of putting nuclear power front and center of its low-carbon energy transition, alongside renewables. The news comes as EDF has admitted that the Hinkley Point C project faces another round of delays and significant cost increases. Industrial Info reported recently that commissioning could be delayed by up to four years, until the end of the decade, and incur a potential price hike of up to one-third, bringing the eventual cost to £46 billion (US$58.4 billion). For additional information, see February 5, 2024, article - U.K.'s Only New Nuclear Plant Faces Major Delays and Cost Hike.

"This is a significant moment for our project in Suffolk and a big step for British energy security," stated Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann, joint managing directors at Sizewell C. "We've had a really successful year of pre-commencement works on site, and we've been working hard with local partners and organizations to ensure we're ready to take this next step for the project. While Sizewell C will be a linchpin of Britain's energy system, it's much more than a power station, especially for this region. Entering the construction phase will be a game-changer for the area, helping to boost employment and skills, enhancing the local environment, and developing new clean technologies."

The project will deliver 1,500 apprenticeships and support thousands of jobs across the country, with at least one-third of the peak construction workforce of almost 8,000 coming from the local area. U.K. Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie commented: "This is a major milestone for Sizewell C and our ambition to deliver up to 24-GW of low-carbon nuclear power by 2050. It comes after we announced the biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years which will help to bring down bills and bolster our energy security. East Anglia will benefit from thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships as a result, demonstrating the local rewards of backing new nuclear."

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).