Manufacturing Biz #2 - Magazine - Page 30
Green light for construction
phase as Sizewell C triggers
Development Consent Order
S
izewell C has triggered its
Development Consent Order
(DCO), opening the path for
formal construction of the new
3.2GW nuclear power station on the
Suffolk coast. The project was granted
permission to build in July 2022, and
while preparatory works subsequently
began, many obligations needed to
be satisfied before construction could
commence under its DCO.
Those obligations, set out in a Deed of
Obligation document signed with East
Suffolk Council and Suffolk County
Council, and which included activity
ranging from key road surveys to the
establishment of Governance Groups,
are all now satisfied and the formal
construction phase of the project can
begin.
Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann, Joint
Managing Directors at Sizewell C,
said: “This is a significant moment
for our project in Suffolk and a big
step for British energy security. We’ve
had a really successful year of precommencement works on site, and
we’ve been working hard with local
partners and organisations to ensure
we’re ready to take this next step for
the project.
“While Sizewell C will be a linchpin of
Britain’s energy system, it’s much more
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than a power station, especially for
this region. Entering the construction
phase will be a game-changer for the
area, helping to boost employment
and skills, enhancing the local
environment, and developing new
clean technologies.”
Sizewell C will be an important part
of Britain’s energy future, generating
low-carbon power for six million
homes until close to the end of this
century. To mark the latest milestone
for the project, Nuclear Minister,
Andrew Bowie, today visited the
Sizewell C construction site to meet
with the project team, local business
leaders, and representatives from local
authorities. Nuclear Minister, Andrew
Bowie, said: “This is a major milestone
for Sizewell C and our ambition to
deliver up to 24GW of low-carbon
nuclear power by 2050. It comes after
we announced the biggest expansion
of nuclear power for 70 years which
will help to bring down bills and
bolster our energy security. East Anglia
will benefit from thousands of new
jobs and apprenticeships as a result,
demonstrating the local rewards of
backing new nuclear.”
In September 2023, the Government,
Sizewell C and EDF launched an
equity raise process to attract private
investors into the project. While
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triggering the DCO and entering the
construction phase is not dependent
on a final investment decision (FID),
constructive discussions with qualified
potential investors are continuing and
a final investment decision is expected
later in 2024. By commencing formal
construction, a £250m package of
funding for the local community will
become available in phases during the
construction phase of the project.
That funding includes £23m for
community projects, £100m for the
environment, £12m to support local
tourism, and a £12m housing fund
to boost private housing and tourist
accommodation.
Sizewell C is determined that
opportunities from construction
are spread as widely as possible in
East Suffolk, and it has longstanding
partnerships with Suffolk Chamber
of Commerce and MENTA, as well as
third sector community organisations
and charities like Inspire and Access
Community Trust. “A lasting positive
legacy for the region”: business
leaders welcome news Sizewell C will
deliver 1,500 apprenticeships and
support thousands of jobs across
the country, with at least one third
of the peak construction workforce
of 7,900 coming from the local area.
The project will invest in local skills
to ensure there is a pipeline of talent