The UK government has announced a £14.2bn (US$19.2 bn) investment in the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant. Funding for the two-unit plant, located on the Suffolk coast of southern Britain came as part of the government Spending Review.
The Sizewell C consortium, a group of over 200 nuclear supply-chain companies and organisations backing the plant has already signed £330m ($446m) in contracts with local companies. Some 70% of the contracts associated with the project are predicted to go to UK suppliers.
Sizewell is one of eight sites identified for future nuclear development in 2009 but will be only the second nuclear development since 1995, when the neighbouring Sizewell B PWR plant was commissioned. It will also be the second EPR to be constructed in the UK following Hinkley Point C, which is currently under construction.
According to a statement, building the second UK EPR, which will have an installed capacity of 3.2 GW will lead to the creation of some 10,000 direct jobs, including 1,500 apprenticeships.
UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said of the financing: “We are once again investing in Britain’s renewal, with the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation.”
Commenting on the announcement Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband said: “We need new nuclear to deliver a golden age of clean energy abundance, because that is the only way to protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis. This is the government’s clean energy mission in action.
Sam White, managing director, natural resources at Costain, which won a ten-year framework contract to provide resourcing support for Sizewell C across the areas of delivery integration, quality and engineering integration said: “The government’s confirmation is a huge step forward for the UK’s energy security and net zero ambitions. This nationally significant infrastructure project will provide a safe and resilient energy supply for millions of homes, creating a sustainable future for the UK. At the same time, this is a project that will accelerate the development of highly sought-after engineering skills for thousands of long-term jobs, driving economic prosperity for the East of England.”
With the decision broadly welcomed Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, noted: “This new nuclear programme will give the country the jobs, the economic growth and the energy security we need to ensure a secure and reliable power supply for the future. This announcement shows the government is serious about new nuclear, and realising the economic benefits that come with it, and will be welcomed in communities the length and breadth of Britain.”
Sizewell C is expected to come online in the 2030s.
In a related development, the UK has also named Rolls Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to build the country’s first small modular nuclear reactors. The decision follows a two-year competition to identify the SMR vendor which will partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBEN) – formerly Great British Nuclear – to develop the reactors. The government says the project could support up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction and it is pledging over £2.5bn ($3.4 bn) for the overall SMR programme in this Spending Review period. Subject to final approvals and contract signature, Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd will enter a strategic technology development partnership with the publicly-owned GBEN. A site for the project is expected to be allocated later this year with grid connection anticipated in the mid-2030s.
Commenting, Simon Bowen, Chairman of GBEN, said: “By selecting a preferred bidder, we are taking a decisive step toward delivering clean, secure, and sovereign power. This is about more than energy, it’s about revitalising British industry, creating thousands of skilled jobs, and building a platform for long-term economic growth.”
