14 December 2020
Share
The UK government has announced it will begin talks with EDF to enable investment in the planned Sizewell C nuclear power plant project. Today s announcement was part of the Energy White Paper that outlines historic plans to clean up the country s energy system and keep bills affordable as it transitions to net zero, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said.
How Sizewell C would look (Image: EDF)
BEIS said the government is considering options to enable investment in at least one nuclear power plant by the end of this Parliament, in 2024. This is the next step in considering the Sizewell C project, and negotiations will be subject to reaching a value for money deal and all other relevant approvals, before any final decision is taken on whether to proceed. The successful conclusion of these negotiations will be subject to thorough scrutiny and needs to satisfy the government’s robust legal, regulatory and national se
Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, EDF Energy s Managing Director, Nuclear Development: We are eager to start discussions with the Government on a suitable financing model for the project and we look forward to the next phase of scrutiny of our plans by the Planning Inspectorate. Sizewell C will build on the great progress being made at Hinkley Point C and, as a copy, will benefit from lower construction and financing costs. We are confident that we can arrive at a funding solution which will provide value for money and help to lower energy bills for consumers.
The proposals have already sparked widespread concern among local politicians with MPs Dr Therese Coffey and Dr Dan Poulter and both Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council saying they have major worries about the plans for the station - even though they are not opposed in principal to the aims of the project.