Campaigners demand answers over Sizewell C costs and completion date
It comes one year after £14bn Government backing for the nuclear power plant
Last updated 19 hours ago
Anti-nuclear campaigners are calling on the Government to release more information about the future of Sizewell C, arguing that key questions about the project's costs and completion date remain unanswered a year after ministers committed £14.2 billion to the Suffolk development.
Campaign group Stop Sizewell C has published a new report to mark the first anniversary of the Government's investment in the power station, claiming there is still insufficient transparency around how much the project will ultimately cost and when it will begin generating electricity.
The group is urging ministers to publish what it describes as an unredacted Full Business Case and a detailed delivery plan, arguing that both local communities and bill payers deserve greater clarity.
What questions they want answered
Alison Downes, founder of Stop Sizewell C, said the most significant unanswered question was when the power station would be completed.
"It's been a year since the government committed £14 billion pounds to Sizewell C and that paved the way for a final investment decision and there's still a lot we don't know," she said.
"The biggest single question is when Sizewell C will be finished and the government seems absolutely determined to keep this a secret.
"Local people need to know how long this nightmare is going to go on for. The British public needs to know how long they have to pay for it until they get any electricity."
The Government and Sizewell C have previously said the project is expected to begin generating electricity in the mid-2030s. However, Ms Downes questioned whether that timeline remained realistic, citing references contained within reports examining the project.
The campaign group is also seeking greater transparency over the financial implications of the development.
Under the Regulated Asset Base funding model, consumers contribute towards the cost of constructing the power station before it begins generating electricity.
Ms Downes said uncertainty remained over the eventual impact on household energy bills.
"The reality is we don't know what the impact of Sizewell C on energy bills is going to be because we don't know what it ultimately will cost," she said.
"We don't know how long we'll be paying for it before it's even generating any electricity."
They're seeking transparency
The report also calls on ministers to publish further project documentation, including a full business case and delivery strategy.
"The government needs to publish the unredacted Sizewell C full business case so we can all see the information withheld when only a summary was published last year," Ms Downes said.
"We also need to see a strategy and delivery plan. It needs to be transparent about the costs and schedule in a way that's easy for people to understand."
The campaign group argues ministers should be prepared to reconsider the project if costs or delays escalate significantly.
"The Secretary of State has the power to cancel Sizewell C under certain circumstances and we want more assurances that the government is actually prepared to do this," Ms Downes said.
"It would be completely immoral to force the public to carry on paying for something that spiralled out of control."
Sizewell C is expected to provide enough low-carbon electricity to power around six million homes and is one of the Government's flagship infrastructure projects aimed at improving the UK's energy security and reducing carbon emissions.
Ministers have consistently argued that Sizewell C will play a vital role in the UK's future energy mix. The Government says the power station will help strengthen energy security, reduce exposure to volatile international gas markets and provide enough low-carbon electricity to power around six million homes for decades to come.
Responses to the report
A DESNZ spokesperson said:
“Building new nuclear is an investment this country must make, because it is the only way to get our country off the rollercoaster of volatile global gas markets.
“As the NAO confirms, this is a good deal for consumers and taxpayers – leading to cheaper power for families, saving £2 billion a year across energy system once built, and limiting the impact on a typical household bill to an average of around £1 per month during construction.”
A Sizewell C spokesperson said:
“Sizewell C represents one of the UK’s most significant investments and will deliver long-term value for both consumers and the country, helping to lower electricity costs over time while strengthening energy security.
“Backed by experienced investors, we are entering construction with a mature design, a strong supply chain, robust governance, and clear incentives to keep the project on time and within budget.
“Sizewell C is already making a positive impact on the Suffolk economy. We have invested £1bn locally and created hundreds of jobs, including employing more than 80 local apprentices.”
EDF have been approached for comment.