Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced on Thursday the government’s support for Sizewell C’s construction, subject to final agreement.
In his Autumn Statement, he said the nuclear power station would create thousands of jobs and represented the biggest step in the UK’s journey to energy independence.
He stressed the need for the UK to further increase domestic energy generation with “a major acceleration of homegrown technologies like offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and above all nuclear.”
Projects like Sizewell C will “deliver new jobs, industries and export opportunities and secure the clean, affordable energy we need to power our future economy and reach Net Zero,” he said.
In response to the Chancellor’s statement, a spokesperson from Sizewell C said,
“We are delighted the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Sizewell C and look forward to concluding negotiations in the coming weeks. The new power station will strengthen the UK’s energy security, lower costs for consumers and help Britain reach Net Zero. It will bring a big economic boost to Suffolk and create thousands of jobs and apprenticeships in nuclear supply chain companies up and down the country.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Read the Chancellor’s full statement here and watch his remarks here
Read more about Sizewell C’s proposals and how they will be funded here
Read the UK government’s press release here
Source: EDF