As the government announces plans to build a new large-scale nuclear plant, BETHANY WALES reflects on how East Anglia is leading the UK’s charge to produce more than 23GW from nuclear by 2050. 

It’s an ambitious goal: to reverse the trend of declining nuclear power capacity in order to increase the likelihood of achieving net zero carbon emissions in just over two decades' time.

The amount of the electricity that comes from nuclear has declined since the 1990s. 

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In the late 1990s nuclear power generated approximately 25pc of the UK’s electricity, but since that time, several plants have been permanently shut down and others need to be closed for maintenance more often because they are old.

By 2017, all but two of the country’s 17 nuclear power plants are set to close.

And while this week’s announcement about the government’s intention to build a new “super-reactor” in the next 30 years is fantastic news for the industry, the Sizewell C project remains  in a unique position to offer the UK competitive electricity.

What will Sizewell C do?

Once completed, Sizewell C would provide reliable, low carbon power to the equivalent of 6 million homes over 60 years – saving the UK as many as 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

Additionally, unlike many renewable energy sources, power from nuclear energy can be generated 24 hours a day and isn’t dependent on the weather, like wind and solar power tend to be.

Because of this, nuclear power is more readily available to meet energy demands, which is great during times when other renewable energy sources might not be as readily available.

What’s more, some new-generation nuclear power stations, like Sizewell C, are now certified for 80 years of operation – far longer than a gas or coal-fired power station.

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The project will also offer a big boost for the wider economy.

At the peak of the construction work, Sizewell C is set to support 10,000 jobs across the country, with supply chain plans for 70pc of the value of construction contracts to go to UK businesses.

EDF, the firm behind the project, say the station will be worth around £125m a year for the local economy during construction, and £40m during its operation. 

What is happening at Sizewell C in 2024?

The Sizewell C project had a big year in 2023. 

After 12 months of preparatory work, from site clearance to surveys and archaeological work, the team is now looking forward to the first stage of formal construction work in 2024.

The Secretary of State granted Sizewell C permission to build the power station back in 2022. 

However, for construction activities to formally commence, many obligations needed to be satisfied first.

Those obligations, set out in a Deed of Obligation document signed with East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council, included everything from key road surveys to the establishment of Governance Groups to provide continuing oversight of the project.

Now, after such a successful year, the team said it's in a position to start construction activity imminently.