CliffNotes
- UK Confirms £1.3bn Investment in Sizewell C Nuclear Plant
- It will generate electricity for 6 million homes and create 10,000 jobs
- It forms part of a wider £113bn infrastructure investment plan
UK Confirms £1.3bn Investment in Sizewell C Nuclear Plant
What happened
The UK government has committed £14.2 billion to build the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, aiming to generate electricity for about 6 million homes and create 10,000 jobs, as part of a wider £113 billion infrastructure investment plan announced by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. The programme also includes funding for SMRs (small modular reactors), £2.5 billion for fusion research, and £6 billion to support the nuclear submarine industrial base, reinforcing both energy and military infrastructure. The move positions nuclear at the heart of the UK’s net-zero strategy amid increased electricity demand, although critics caution that Sizewell C may suffer cost overruns and delays similar to Hinkley Point C.
What next
Construction of Sizewell C is expected to begin within weeks and, along with future SMR and fusion initiatives, will help the government meet its clean energy goals. A design deal with EDF and potential investment from Rolling‑stock FTSE 100 manufacturers is anticipated. However, critics warn the project may balloon to £40 billion, burdening consumers and taxpayers without stronger financial scrutiny. The story will feature prominently in the 11 June spending review, where Chancellor Reeves is expected to solidify this as part of a broader regional investment strategy – while balancing concerns over infrastructure funding cuts elsewhere.
