Planning hurdle for Sizewell C cleared

A Development Consent Order, paving the way for the project to progress, has been granted for Sizewell C in Suffolk.

The decision had been delayed for some time and will hopefully precede a Government Investment Decision – paving the way for private capital and guaranteeing the future of the project.

Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect Sue Ferns said:

“This DCO is welcome but long overdue. We now need the government to bring forward its investment decision as a matter of urgency so the project can progress.

“The nuclear ambitions set out in the British Energy Security Strategy are laudable, but they are simply words if they’re not followed by concrete action.

“Approving the funding for Sizewell C will send a firm signal to investors that the Government is committed to new nuclear delivering energy security and taking us to Net Zero.

“This week’s extreme temperatures have shown that we cannot afford to delay decarbonising our energy supply.”

Prospect National Secretary Ben Middleton added:

“Prospect very much welcomes the decision to grant the development consent order (DCO) for the Sizewell C project and we urge Government to confirm without delay the required Government Investment Decision to ensure the private investment needed so that this project can proceed.

“There can be no net zero without new nuclear and the SZC project provides a vital link between the current Hinkley Point C development and our ability to build future capacity and to meet our growing needs for affordable, resilient and secure low carbon energy, providing a just transition for workers and a skills pipeline for high quality well paid jobs for the future.”