Sizewell C nuclear power station

Sizewell C nuclear power station is a proposed project to construct a 3,200 MWe nuclear power station with two EPR reactors in Suffolk, England.[2] The project has been proposed by a consortium of EDF Energy and China General Nuclear Power Group, which own 80% and 20% of the project respectively. The power station is expected to meet 7% of the UK's demand when it comes into service.[1]

Sizewell C nuclear power station (SZC)
CountryEngland, United Kingdom
LocationSuffolk, East of England
Coordinates52.215°N 1.61972°E / 52.215; 1.61972
StatusProposed
Construction cost£18bn [1]
Owner(s)EDF Energy(80%) China General Nuclear Power Group(20%)
Operator(s)NNB Generation Company
Nuclear power station
Reactor typePWR
Reactor supplierFramatome
Cooling sourceSea water from North Sea
Thermal capacity2 × 4524 MWth (planned)
Power generation
Make and modelEPR
Units planned2 × 1630 MWe
Nameplate capacity3260 MWe (planned)

The project is expected to be completed in the year 2031, with construction taking between 9 and 12 years depending on developments at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station which is also being developed by EDF Energy, and which shares major similarities with the Sizewell plant.

History

In 2008, the government decided that new nuclear sites should be constructed on existing sites to replace the UK's ageing fleet of reactors.[3] In 2010, the government revealed that the Sizewell power station site was one of the eight locations that it intended to allow the development to occur at.[4] Following this, EDF Energy put forwards proposals for the Sizewell site in November 2012, where it planned to construct two EPR reactors.[5]

In 2015, as a part of the government's strategy to open the UK up to China, it was reported that after talks with China agreements had been made to develop three nuclear power plants including Sizewell C, Hinkley Point C and Bradwell B; however, agreements had not yet been made over financing the Sizewell project, with the final agreement likely to be made after the construction of Hinkley Point C had started.[6]

On 21 October 2015, EDF Energy announced that it had 'agreed the Heads of Terms of a wider UK partnership for the joint development of new nuclear power stations at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex' with CGN. At the same time, EDF Energy also announced that it 'will take an 80% share and CGN will take a 20% share' during the development phase of the project.[7]

Following extensive consultation with the local community, EDF submitted its planning application in May 2020, declaring that 25,000 job opportunities will be created and targeting 70% of the investment to be spent in UK. The plant will largely replicate the Hinkley Point C design to reuse experience, lower cost and ensure high levels of safety.[8] The proposal was welcomed by Unite the Union.[9]

On 27 May 2020, EDF Energy announced that it had submitted a development consent order application.[10] However, EDF has yet to organise financing, and cannot take on more construction risk in the UK. EDF is looking to the UK government to assist on financing either by offering a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model used on less risky infrastructure, though that puts an immediate cost burden on end consumers, or through other approaches such as a government equity stake in the development.[11]

On 30 June 2020, EDF Energy announced that it had applied to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) for a licence to build and operate Sizewell C. The ONR is responsible for the safe operation of nuclear sites in the UK and for permitting new nuclear site licences – one of the key regulatory requirements for building and operating a new power station.[12]

On 11 September 2020, Suffolk county council said that it could not support the plans for the construction of Sizewell C in its current form,[13] with the council saying on 23 October 2020 that the plans "do not go far enough" to mitigate the impact on the local community as well as the local environment. The council said that a lack of support for the project is not the issue, and that it is that EDF "simply does not appropriately and sensitively address the impacts on our communities and the environment".[14] EDF responded by submitting significant changes to the project which aim to significantly reduce the number of Heavy Goods Vehicles delivering the materials required for the project by having them delivered by train and sea instead. The plans also propose to increase the amount of land for the creation of fen meadow to help increase the net gain of biodiversity following the completion of the project. A consultation period will begin on November 16, which will last for 30 days which will inform all of the stakeholders in the project about the proposals.[15]

On 31 October 2020, the BBC claimed that the government was 'close' to giving the project the green light following intensified talks with EDF, with government officials insisting that it "remains committed to new nuclear" following the withdrawal of Horizon from Wylfa and Oldbury. The BBC also reported that the government has increased its interest in taking a stake in the project following work on the second reactor at Hinkley point C being completed 30% faster than the first reactor, which 'is thought to have substantially mitigated' the risk in taking a stake in the project.[16][17]

On 14 December 2020, the UK government published an Energy white paper[18] setting out its plans to "transition to net zero" and announced the start of negotiations with EDF, with a view to starting investment on "at least one" new power station before the end of the current parliament in 2024.[19] CGN is thought to be planning to withdraw from the project.[20]

Timeline

[21]

StageStatusDate CompletedNotes
Statement of community consultationCompleted2012[22]
Stage 1 consultationCompleted6 February 2013[23]
Updated statement of community consultationCompletedNovember 2016[24]
Stage 2 consultationCompleted3 February 2017[25]
Stage 3 consultationCompleted29 March 2019[26]
Stage 4 consultationCompleted27 September 2019[27]
Review of Stage 4 responsesCompleted-
Application submissionCompleted24 June 2020[28]
DecisionIn Progress-[29]
ConstructionNot Yet Started-
OperationNot Yet Started-

Construction

The Sizewell C project is expected to take between 9 and 12 years to construct and commission. Time and cost savings are expected to be significant compared to the near-identical sister plant, Hinkley Point C. As a point of reference, construction of unit 2 at Hinkley Point has progressed at a much faster rate than unit 1,[30][31] and EDF hopes to achieve similar economies at Sizewell C.

Financing

The Sizewell C project is expected to cost £18 billion. The project is being led by EDF Energy and CGN, which own 80% and 20% of the project, respectively.[7]

EDF, as of June 2020, is looking to the UK government to assist on financing either by offering a Regulated Asset Base model, though that puts an immediate cost burden on end consumers, or through other approaches such as a government equity stake in the development as the company is unwilling to take on further risk within the UK.[11] On 30 June, EDF announced that it had applied to the Office for Nuclear Regulation for a licence to build and operate Sizewell C.[32]

On 14 July 2020, 32 companies and organisations[33] from the UK nuclear supply chain formed a consortium to encourage the government to support the state-guaranteed financing model for Sizewell C, Regulated Asset Base, which the consortium says would reduce the cost of new nuclear projects by having consumers pay the cost upfront through their energy bills.[34]

On 30 September 2020, EDF chairman and CEO, Jean-Bernard Lévy, has demanded that the Treasury provided clarity on the future of nuclear funding following Hitachi's withdrawl from the Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station project which was set to cost £20 Billion, citing a lack of viable funding. [35][36]

On 14 December 2020, following the release of the UK government's long-awaited energy white paper, the government announced that it had started consultations with EDF to take a stake in the project following concerns that CGN is backing out of the project, which would leave a financing gap. The government also warned that any stake in the project would be 'subject to approval on areas such as value for money and affordability' with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma saying, "We are starting negotiations with EDF, it is not a green light on the construction".[37]

Criticism and opposition

Together Against Sizewell C

One group that is against the construction of the plant is called Together Against Sizewell C (TASC), an unincorporated group.

Some of the group's main arguments against the development are as follows:[38]

  • The funding would be better spent on renewable energy
  • The cost of electricity would increase as a result of the construction as the build would cost more than renewables
  • The health risks are too great as the site would be contaminated for many years after operation
  • The economic benefits to the surrounding area would be minimal
  • The plant would be at risk from rising sea levels as a result of climate change

TASC sought a judicial review of the East Suffolk Council's decision to grant planning permission in September 2019 for preparatory works on the site, which would involve the felling of 229 trees as well as the demolition of buildings on the Sizewell B site. The group claimed that the decision was unlawful and that proper investigations into the potential scale of environmental damage had not occurred.[39] The bid to block the works were brought forwards by a local resident, Joan Girling, on behalf of TASC to the High Court. The court heard the case on 8 September 2020[40] and ruled that the habitat loss would be "minor" and "not significant". Mr Justice Holgate rejected the attempt to block the works, and said that he "did not accept East Suffolk Council acted irrationally". An EDF spokesperson responded to the rulings by saying that "The judge acknowledged the robust nature of the report provided by East Suffolk Council regarding the environmental impact of the work. The report, which was informed by the council arboriculturist, found that the majority (73%) of the 229 trees that need to be removed from Coronation Wood are low quality plantation wood with a limited life expectancy and limited amenity value. It was judged that this loss would be 'balanced' by the planting of over 2,500 juvenile woodland trees, including a mixture of broadleaf and coniferous species appropriate for the prevailing soil and coastal conditions."[41]

On 6 October 2020, TASC and the Stop Sizewell C group delivered a petition with over 10,400 signatures[42] to Downing Street, the Treasury and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling for the government to stop Sizewell C as the plans would be costly, risky and would not positively contribute to net zero until 2040.[43][44]

Stop Sizewell C

Stop Sizewell C is the campaign name of Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group Ltd. (TEAGS). TEAGS was formed in 2013 by representatives of the Suffolk parish of Theberton and Eastbridge, which neighbours the proposed Sizewell C construction site, in order to give a voice to the community. EDF's proposals are that 2,400 workers would be accommodated in a campus close to the hamlet of Eastbridge, and that HGVs would use the B1122 through Theberton. TEAGS did not initially oppose Sizewell C, but after 8 years of engagement with EDF and other stakeholders, the group changed its name to Stop Sizewell C.[45]

Concerns over Chinese involvement

Concerns have been expressed[46][47] regarding one of the shareholders in the consortium, CGN, which is owned by the Chinese government and has been blacklisted by the United States Department of Commerce for attempting to acquire advanced U.S. nuclear technology and material for diversion to military use.[48][49] In September 2020, following Hitachi's decision to withdraw from the Wylfa and Oldbury projects, the BBC reported that the UK government was looking to replace CGN as an investor and might take a stake in Sizewell C.[50]

See also

References
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  2. "Sizewell C proposals". Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. "New nuclear plants get go-ahead". BBC News. 10 January 2008.
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