Government Commits £14.2bn to New Nuclear Power Station
The UK government has announced a significant investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power station, committing £14.2bn to the project. This move is expected to create 10,000 jobs, including 1,500 apprenticeships, and support thousands more jobs across the UK. According to Sky News, the funding will be announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the GMB union conference ahead of the spending review on Wednesday.
The investment in Sizewell C is a major boost to the UK’s nuclear power sector, which has seen significant growth in recent years. As Sky News reports, the sector grew by a quarter in 2024 to £20bn compared with three years ago, underpinned by a record workforce which has increased by a third. The growth is largely driven by new nuclear power projects at Sizewell C and Hinkley Point C in Somerset.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has hailed the investment as a "golden age" of nuclear power, which will boost the UK’s energy security. The funding will support the creation of a new nuclear power station at Sizewell C, which is expected to provide around six million homes with nuclear energy. Construction is expected to take between nine and 12 years.
The project has faced criticism from campaign groups, who argue that the cost of the project is too high and that the government has not provided enough information about the expected total costs. According to Sky News, Alison Downes, from Stop Sizewell C, said: "Where is the benefit for voters in ploughing more money into Sizewell C that could be spent on other priorities, and when the project will add to consumer bills and is guaranteed to be late and overspent just like Hinkley C?"
However, proponents of the project argue that it is a vital step towards delivering secure, domestic clean energy. Sam Richards, CEO of Britain Remade, a pro-growth campaign group, said: "The government must go much further." He called for less red tape to speed up the planning process and to show a "real commitment" to building nuclear power stations.
The government has also announced that £330m of contracts have been signed with local companies, with 70% of all contracts expected to go to 3,500 British suppliers. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "Today we are once again investing in Britain’s renewal, with the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation. This landmark decision is our Plan for Change in action. We are creating thousands of jobs, kickstarting economic growth and putting more money in people’s pockets."
As reported by Sky News, the investment in Sizewell C is part of a broader effort to boost the UK’s energy security and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The project is expected to play a major role in the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The Sizewell C project has a long history, dating back to 2009 when it was initially proposed by French energy company EDF and China General Nuclear Power Group. In 2022, the Conservative government bought out the Chinese company, and the state now owns 83.5% of the project with EDF. The green light for construction to begin was given in January 2024 under the Conservative government, and at last autumn’s budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £2.7bn commitment to Sizewell C.
In conclusion, the government’s commitment to investing £14.2bn in the Sizewell C nuclear power station is a significant move that is expected to have a major impact on the UK’s energy sector. While there are concerns about the cost of the project, proponents argue that it is a vital step towards delivering secure, domestic clean energy. As reported by Sky News, the investment is part of a broader effort to boost the UK’s energy security and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
