The project has been given the green light after more than a decade of discussions, design and finding a suitable funding model. Sizewell C will be the second nuclear power station to be started in the UK in more than two decades. The first project, Hinkley Point C, run by France’s EDF, was plagued by serious delays and budget overruns that, according to the latest estimates, have already exceeded 46 billion pounds.
Sizewell C is designed to be a more efficient station. It will be built on a typical scheme with two Generation III+ EPR (European Pressurized Reactor) reactors, each providing high power and reliability. The total installed capacity will be 3.2 GW, which will provide electricity for up to six million households for sixty years. Construction is planned in the county of Suffolk, in the East of England, adjacent to the existing Sizewell B station. The anticipated commissioning date is in the mid to late 2030s.
Funding for the project was made possible through a hybrid public-private partnership scheme. According to the final share allocation, the British state will invest 44.9% of the total amount – that’s about £17 billion. Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is investing about £7.6 billion, or 20% of the capital. Energy company Centrica Plc will invest about 5.7 billion pounds (15%), France’s EDF will invest about 4.75 billion pounds (12.5%), and Amber Infrastructure will invest about 2.9 billion pounds (7.6%). Thus, the entire project is secured through a wide range of national and international partners.
UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband emphasized the importance of the project: “It’s time to do big things again and build big projects in our country. And today we are announcing an investment that will provide domestically produced clean energy for millions of homes for generations to come.”
The station will be a critical element of the UK’s energy policy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, meet climate targets and ensure energy independence. In turn, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said the project will open thousands of new jobs and boost the economy in the region.
Experts also note that if the project is completed within the approved budget, it will be 20% cheaper than Hinkley Point C and will become an example of successful implementation of modern nuclear initiatives. The construction license was issued by the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) back in May 2024.
Sizewell C will create around 10,000 jobs during the peak construction period and provide thousands of permanent jobs once operational. The project will play an important role not only in the energy sector but also in the economic development of the East of England.
The decision to start up Sizewell C fits in with the Europe-wide trend towards a revival of nuclear power. France, Poland, the Czech Republic and Finland have already announced new nuclear capacity in a bid to replace ageing reactors and boost energy security amid international instability. The UK, investing 38 billion pounds in one of the largest infrastructure projects, is demonstrating its determination to once again become one of the leaders in sustainable energy.
Sizewell C is thus not just a nuclear plant, but a strategic bet on a future where clean energy, technological independence and economic sustainability become cornerstones of national policy.
