Sizewell C nuclear plant gets go-ahead from government
The government has given the go-ahead for the new Sizewell C nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast.
The project, mainly funded by the French energy company EDF, is expected to cost in the region of £20bn.
The company said the new plant would generate about seven percent of the UK’s electricity needs and operate for 60 years.
Campaigners Stop Sizewell C said they “will be looking closely at appealing this decision”.
The new plant would be built next to the existing Sizewell B, which is still generating electricity, and Sizewell A, which has been decommissioned.
EDF said the new two-reactor plant could generate 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, enough for about six million homes.
Negotiations with the government on raising funds for the project are continuing and a decision on the finances is expected in 2023.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng confirmed the development consent and central government will make all future planning decisions on the plant as it is deemed to be a nationally significant infrastructure project.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in May 2020.
The secretary of state overrode recommendations of the Planning Inspectorate not to grant the go-ahead for the scheme unless issues on water supplies and nature were resolved.
In its report, the examining authority said it recommended that “unless the outstanding water supply strategy can be resolved and sufficient information provided to enable the secretary of state to carry out his obligations under the Habitats Regulations, the case for an order granting development consent for the application is not made out”.
The inspectorate’s chief executive, Sarah Richards, said: “This examination took place during the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions, and the examining authority worked hard to ensure that local people, the local authorities – East Suffolk District Council and Suffolk County Council – and other interested parties were able to fully participate.”
Tom McGarry, EDF’s head of regional affairs, said the company would “proceed with humility”.
“Regardless of where you stand on the project, I think everybody is pleased that we have arrived at a decision now,” he said.
“What we have to make sure is that we work with the local communities to minimise construction when it begins and all throughout and also maximise the opportunities for Suffolk.”
The government has committed £100m to developing the project and planned to take a 20 percent stake in the plant.
Local anti-nuclear campaigners have objected to the plant on several grounds, including that it would be built next to the RSPB’s Minsmere nature reserve and have a negative effect on wildlife.
The campaign group Stop Sizewell C said it would continue to oppose the project and would be trying to find grounds to appeal against the decision.
Alison Downes, from the group, said:
“We are going to continue challenging this project because of technical concerns, impacts on the environment, the investors, the fact that households are going to have to pay, the huge expense and potential for massive delays.”
She claimed people in the local area were “devastated” by the latest decision.
“They’re absolutely resolute and steadfast with us and our campaign to keep fighting against this damaging project,” she said.
“This is going to be turned into the biggest building site in Europe and that will drive tourists and a lot of people who could make this a prosperous region away.”
East Suffolk Council is the local planning authority, but does not make decisions on Sizewell because of its national importance.
The Conservative-run council said it would review the development consent over the coming weeks.
Craig Rivett, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development said they would work with the project stakeholders and the local community “to ensure that appropriate mitigation is in place to help lessen the impacts of the project during the construction phase”.
Suffolk County Council said it was “disappointed that a number of key issues have not been fully resolved” including “the blight” of additional pylons no reference to removing a Sizewell link road once construction was completed.
The council added that Suffolk would benefit from nearly £200m of investment to mitigate the impact on communities, the environment and infrastructure and that a “far greater quantity of construction materials will be delivered by rail and sea, reducing the number of lorries on the county’s rural roads”.
However the GMB, which represents workers in the energy sector, said Sizewell C’s approval was “a vital step forward for energy and net-zero”.
See more here: bbc.co.uk
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“Local anti-nuclear campaigners have objected to the plant on several grounds, including that it would be built next to the RSPB’s Minsmere nature reserve and have a negative effect on wildlife.”
The Anti-nuclear groups are ALWAYS against Nuclear power generation which is an extension of an existing site that have had Sizewell A and B in operation for many years without any terrible effects.
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