The UK government has committed £14.2bn to the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project on the Suffolk coastline, aiming to boost energy security, reduce bills, and create 10,000 jobs. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated there would be 'no blank cheque' despite the significant investment. The project, expected to cost over £20bn and generate power by the mid-2030s, faces opposition over its potential cost and environmental impact, and still requires substantial private investment.
Sizewell C: Starmer says 'no blank cheque' for nuclear project
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The UK government has committed £14.2bn to the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project on the Suffolk coastline, aiming to boost energy security, reduce bills, and create 10,000 jobs. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated there would be 'no blank cheque' despite the significant investment. The project, expected to cost over £20bn and generate power by the mid-2030s, faces opposition over its potential cost and environmental impact, and still requires substantial private investment.
Trending- 1 1967: Sizewell A opened.
- 2 1995: Sizewell B came into service.
- 3 2006-12: Sizewell A stopped generating power.
- 4 2009: Ed Miliband identified Sizewell as a potential site for a new nuclear reactor.
- 5 2022: Hinkley Point was estimated to cost £26bn.
- 6 2024: Nuclear power provided about 14% of the UK's electricity.
- 7 2025-06-04 (Wednesday): Government announced £14.2bn investment in Sizewell C.
- 8 Summer 2025: A final decision on the funding model for Sizewell C will be taken.
- 9 Early 2030s: Hinkley Point is expected to switch on.
- 10 Mid-2030s: Sizewell C is expected to begin generating power.
- Creation of 10,000 jobs during construction and 900 operational jobs.
- Potential for reduced household energy bills and increased energy security for the UK.
- Significant taxpayer investment in a large-scale infrastructure project.
- Opposition from pressure groups over cost and environmental impact.
- Risk of cost overruns and delays, as seen with Hinkley Point.
What: The UK government has committed £14.2bn to the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated there would be 'no blank cheque' for the project, which aims to create 10,000 jobs, provide energy security, and bring down bills.
When: The government announced the cash injection on Wednesday (implied June 4, 2025). The project is expected to take at least 10 years to complete, with power generation beginning in the mid-2030s. Sizewell B came into service about 30 years ago (1995). Sizewell A opened in 1967 and stopped generating power in December 2006. Hinkley Point is expected to switch on in the early 2030s. The article was published on June 10, 2025.
Where: Sizewell C is located on the Suffolk coastline, UK. Hinkley Point is in Somerset, UK.
Why: The investment aims to ensure energy security and independence for the UK, reduce household energy bills, create jobs, boost economic growth by attracting private investment, and tackle climate change by generating clean energy.
How: The government is providing a significant cash injection (£14.2bn, including £2.7bn already pledged in the Autumn Budget) to kickstart investment. The project also relies on attracting substantial private investment for building work to proceed.