The welcome announcement this week of UK Government funding for Sizewell C signals good news for people and skills development in the nuclear sector.
The Government’s £679 million investment in Sizewell C will support the project’s continued development. EDF will also provide additional investment to match the government’s stake in the project.
This is expected to create 10,000 highly skilled jobs and provide reliable, low-carbon power for the equivalent of 6 million homes for over 50 years.
The case for new nuclear power could not be clearer with the volatile prices of fossil fuels and intermittent renewables leading to very real prospects of power shortages this winter, as well as long-term uncertainty with all bar one of the current UK fleet due to come offline by the end of this decade.
This week's approval comes alongside the government’s continued commitment to develop a pipeline of new nuclear projects beyond Sizewell C. To support this, the UK is working at pace to set up Great British Nuclear (GBN), the body tasked with developing a resilient pipeline of new nuclear builds, with an announcement expected early in the new year.
Jas Sidhu, President of the Nuclear Institute commented:
"Sizewell C is a vital pillar of the UK's energy security strategy and will help ensure the country can be less reliant on fossil fuels.
The next vital announcement has to be on GBN which needs the mandate to create a construction programme of new nuclear power stations (large and small) – vital for us to reach our Net Zero targets. Let’s not forget, Net Zero needs nuclear”.
Sarah Beacock, CEO of the Nuclear Institute added:
"This announcement is very welcome news to secure the skills pipeline of the industry.
There has been strong expansion of apprenticeships and graduates with the construction of Hinkley Point C, and now there are clear opportunities for thousands more at Sizewell C and hopefully beyond."
About the Nuclear Institute
The Nuclear Institute is the only professional membership body dedicated to the nuclear sector. Representing over 3,000 professionals at all levels across the nuclear industry, from new build and operations to decommissioning, we maintain the Nuclear Delta, the independently defined standard for Nuclear Professionalism.
We work with individual and corporate members to facilitate continuing professional development, provide independent recognition and accreditation of nuclear professionals, as well as offering routes to professional registration and chartership.
Our national network also provides a place for the nuclear community to interact through our events programme, branch network, special interest groups and our many volunteer-led activities.
Main image credit: Sizewell C