Latest news with #Leiston
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Balfour Beatty, Laing O'Rourke and Bouygues join forces to forge new Sizewell C
The main building work to build Sizewell C will be carried out by three global construction giants brought together into a single site entity. Balfour Beatty, Laing O'Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics along with the nuclear project have formed a delivery organisation called the Civil Works Alliance (CWA). Earlier this month, the UK government confirmed £14.2bn of investment in the project over the next five years. SIGN UP HERE FOR YOUR DAILY BUSINESS BULLETIN (Image: Sizewell C) A Final Investment Decision bringing in private investors to help fund the project is expected later in the summer - with British Gas owner Centrica reportedly preparing to take a 15% stake. It would put it on a par with initial backer EDF - the French energy giant which owns and runs Sizewell B, according to the Financial Times report. MORE: Sizewell C to build post-16 college in Leiston The construction alliance will be responsible for enabling works and earthworks, marine and tunnelling works, ancillary works and permanent roads and networks around the site under a Programme Alliance Agreement. It will also build the "nuclear island, conventional island, heat sink and balance of plant" which form the main civils works. All three companies are already involved in other multi-billion-pound infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally and are currently working at Hinkley Point C - the nuclear plant under construction in Somerset which Sizewell C will replicate. Sizewell C joint managing director Nigel Cann said: 'This agreement ensures that our civils programme will be delivered by three companies with deep experience of building to the highest nuclear standards. 'Hinkley Point C has done the heroic work to restart our industry and is seeing big improvements between the construction of reactor Unit 1 and Unit 2. 'With our CWA partners, we will use replication and innovation to build on that progress and deliver Sizewell C more efficiently and with improved productivity. 'We are also clear that the project should help bring lasting change for the better to Suffolk. All the Alliance members will actively look to provide as many opportunities as possible for local people and businesses.' The CWA deal means Sizewell C is fully embedded as "client participant", said Sizewell C. The aim is to "foster transparency, collaboration and efficiency" and keep control of costs and the building schedule through a Target Outturn Cost (TOC) contract model. Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn said Sizewell C represented a "critical investment" in Britain's energy security and net zero future. 'As a trusted delivery partner with a strong track record in complex nuclear infrastructure, we are proud to be bringing background knowledge and experience from Hinkley Point C to this critical national infrastructure project alongside our Alliance partners. 'The signing of the Programme Alliance Agreement further demonstrates the important role we continue to play in powering the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy.' Bouygues Construction deputy chief executive Jean-Philippe Trin said his company was committed to supporting the development of low-carbon energy solutions and had extensive experience in major nuclear projects. Laing O'Rourke group chief executive Cathal O'Rourke said there would be a "laser focus" on safety, quality and productivity during construction. Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea said earlier this year that he likes nuclear. "I'm really hopeful we can make progress with Sizewell C this year," he said, but added that it depended on the overall cost of the project and returns. The construction of Sizewell C - which began with preliminary works in January 2024 - is on time and on budget, according to nuclear bosses. At peak construction, it is expected to employ 7,900 people on site - and support tens of thousands of jobs in the UK supply chain. Anti-Sizewell C campaigner Alison Downes of Stop Sizewell C claimed that the reported private sector investments were "unlikely to be in the best interest of consumers and taxpayers". "The most likely reason for all the delays to a Sizewell C Final Investment Decision is that negotiations are difficult, which is a worrying sign for the future," she said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New nuclear power station champions local education and training opportunities
As tens of thousands of teenagers across Suffolk eagerly await their exam results, Sizewell C is stepping up efforts to enhance local education and training opportunities for children and young people. Last month, the project unveiled plans to establish a post-16 college for its host town of Leiston. Delivered in partnership with Suffolk New College, the permanent facility will transform higher education access in an area where there are limited options for Further Education and specialist vocational training, creating a lasting skills legacy for the region. The plans also include an Apprenticeship and Trainee Hub, which will support the 540 local apprenticeships that Sizewell C has pledged to deliver during the construction of the nuclear power station, as well as a purpose-built Centre of Excellence which will provide training in areas such as civils, mechanical, electrical and welding. Alan Pease, principal and chief executive officer at Suffolk New College (Image: Simply C Photography) 'I'm very grateful to Sizewell C for their vision and collaboration on this further education college project,' said Alan Pease, principal and chief executive officer at Suffolk New College. 'Without their continued support, this opportunity wouldn't be possible. 'The collaboration will enable us to support the local community with post-16 education for young people and adults – not only related to skills required by Sizewell C, but also more generally.' The college is expected to open in September 2027. READ MORE: Meet the jobs matchmaker filling roles at Sizewell C An employability hub called Nucleus has also been launched at East Coast College in Lowestoft, in partnership with Sizewell C. The hub supports students in securing employment by offering help with CV writing, interview preparation and access to regional job opportunities. In total, Sizewell C is investing more than £20m to improve skills in the area. This includes enhancing facilities and resources across local colleges, higher education institutions, and training providers. An Apprenticeship and Trainee Hub will support 540 local apprenticeships (Image: Sizewell C) Its Young Sizewell C initiative, which connects those aged 14 to 21 in Suffolk and Norfolk with in-demand careers and apprenticeships, has already attracted over 1,700 sign-ups. A dedicated Young Sizewell C website offering access to job and training opportunities is set to launch later this year. Meanwhile, more than 17,000 young people have engaged with Sizewell C's Power Up! programme, which has equipped over 200 schools with resources to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Volunteers from Sizewell C and its supply chain have also led school workshops, with 96% of surveyed teachers reporting they felt more confident teaching STEM subjects as a result. Chris Young, head of the Employment Affairs Unit at Sizewell C (Image: Sizewell C) 'Young people today won't just help build the power station in future – they'll also operate and maintain it once it's switched on,' said Chris Young, head of the Employment Affairs Unit at Sizewell C. 'By opening their eyes to all the exciting careers available now, they'll hopefully consider a career in the energy sector once they finish their education. The industry has many incredible benefits, such as good salaries and transferrable skills.' READ MORE: 'Home away from home' – Sizewell C builds new accommodation campus Sizewell C is also funding a programme to enhance STEM education in more than a dozen local primary and secondary schools. Led by the Kingfisher Schools Trust, the newly formed Leiston Education Partnership will build on the initiative to establish an engaging STEM curriculum across primary schools. This will ensure a smooth transition to secondary education and boost student aspiration and achievement – particularly in GCSE Science. Dan Mayhew, director of community and partnerships at the Kingfisher Schools Trust (Image: Andrew Henry) As part of the same programme, Sizewell C has funded the appointment of a head of community arts engagement. This role supports local schools in building students' confidence and self-esteem through creative arts, with music performances scheduled in the coming weeks. 'We're already making a huge difference to the lives of young people in the area,' said Dan Mayhew, director of community and partnerships at the Kingfisher Schools Trust. 'Science lessons are becoming more engaging, and pupils, who may have never sung in front of each other before, are taking part in group singalongs. "It's only right that young people benefit from the construction of Sizewell C, and we see this as a golden opportunity to raise aspirations and help fully prepare our students for all the opportunities the project may bring.' For more information, visit (Image: Newsquest) This article is part of the EADT's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.
Sky News
10-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News
What is Sizewell C – and why is it so controversial?
The UK is one step closer to a new nuclear power plant after the government announced a further £14.2bn in funding. Sizewell C, near the town of Leiston on the Suffolk coast, is due to be up and running by the mid-2030s. While the government claims the new facility represents a "golden age of clean energy" and says it will create thousands of jobs - those against it warn of the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear accident and damage to the local environment. Here we look at what is due to be built at the Sizewell site - and why the project is so controversial. What is Sizewell C? The new site will house two nuclear reactors - generating up to 3.2 gigawatts of electricity, which is enough to power six million homes. The government says it could meet 7% of the country's total energy needs for up to 60 years. It was initially proposed by the French energy company EDF and China's General Nuclear Power Group, but the previous government bought the Chinese company out of its 20% stake in 2022. Together, the UK government and EDF now own 83.5% of the site. It is located near Sizewell beach - next to Sizewell A, a decommissioned nuclear site that opened in 1967, and Sizewell B, which is still running - and was the last nuclear site to open in the UK in 1995. Previous funding announcements mean the state has now invested a total of £17.8bn, with a final funding model due to be released this summer after private investors are secured to bridge the gap to the total £20bn cost. Taxpayer money is expected to contribute £700m. How long has it been in the making? The project dates back to 2008, when then Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown declared the UK needed to boost its nuclear capacity. There are four nuclear sites running in the UK - at Heysham, Hartlepool, Torness, and Sizewell B. In 2010, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition earmarked Sizewell as a potential new site. EDF began consulting with locals in the area in 2012, finally submitting its development consent order in May 2020. It was granted in July 2022 despite the Planning Inspectorate's recommendations it should be blocked over environmental concerns. It also fought off a judicial review at the Court of Appeal brought by protest group Together Against Sizewell C. Construction by EDF is due to start in the next year - and is set to take between nine and 12 years. Why are people against it? Two campaign groups - Together Against Sizewell C and Stop Sizewell C - have spearheaded efforts to block the site. Locally, they say construction will damage 150 hectares of land nearby, which is home to two different nature reserves and thousands of birds, animals, and plant species. The appeal also cited concerns it would compromise local water supplies and may run over budget or fail to even get off the ground like the now-scrapped HS2 trainline. More generally, nuclear power is very controversial. While it does not produce carbon emissions like traditional fossil fuels, any nuclear activity is exceedingly high-risk. Nuclear fission is the process by which uranium atoms are broken down into smaller particles to produce heat, which is then boiled to create steam that powers turbines to create electricity. The International Atomic Energy Agency says all its regulated sites are the "safest and most secure facilities in the world" and subject to strict independent safety measures. But high-profile nuclear accidents, although incredibly rare, have leaked deadly radiation into the atmosphere, killing people and likely poisoning others for generations to come. These include the explosion at the Chernobyl plant in Ukraine in 1986 and the partial meltdown of one of the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan following a tsunami in 2011. Nuclear fission also produces huge amounts of radioactive waste, which has to be safely stored for hundreds of years and anti-nuclear campaigners worry about the safety of these storage sites. What are the arguments for it? The government wants to use nuclear energy to help meet its target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association Tom Greatrex has described Sizewell C as a "huge step forward" both for net zero - and energy security. The Ukraine war compromised global gas and oil supplies, much of which came from Russia, sending prices rocketing. Since then, Ukraine's Western allies have made efforts to become more autonomous with energy production. Britain's nuclear sector grew by a quarter to £20bn in the three years to 2024, with another site at Hinkley Point in Somerset currently under construction. Some countries, like France, where EDF is based, already rely heavily on nuclear power. Sizewell C will also create 10,000 new jobs and 1,500 apprenticeships, boosting the local and UK economy. Around £330m has been tendered to local companies in contracts, with 70% of all those commissioned going to 3,500 British suppliers. Mr Greatex said: "Sizewell C will provide reliable low-carbon power for more than 80 years, cutting gas use, creating thousands of high-quality skilled jobs, and long-term investment and opportunity up and down the country."
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
What is Sizewell C nuclear plant and why is it controversial?
Plans to open a new major nuclear plant have been given a major funding boost after Rachel Reeves announced £14.2 billion worth of investment for Sizewell C. Located on the Sussex coastline, the power station is set to cost about £20bn but is expected to generate electricity for six million homes. Energy secretary Ed Miliband said new nuclear power capacity was needed to deliver a 'golden age of clean energy abundance'. Despite this, there is strong opposition to the plans from environmentalists and those that believe the plans are too expensive, and investment would be better off elsewhere. So what do we know about the Sizewell C nuclear plant? What is Sizewell C and where is it? Plans have been underway for years for a new two-reactor nuclear power station to be built on the east Sussex coastline with hopes that it could generate 3.2 gigawatts of electricity. French energy company EDF have claimed that the plant will power the equivalent of six million homes, and is planned to be operational in the 2030s. This means is could potentially generate electricity for 60 years. At the peak of construction, Sizewell C is expected to provide 10,000 jobs and the company behind the project has already signed £330 million worth of contracts with local businesses. Located close to the town of Leiston, it will sit next to Sizewell B that has been operating since 1995, and the decommissioned Sizewell A site. How much is the plant likely to cost? Sizewell C is expected to cost about £20bn. However, reports in January circulated that the costs were likely to double, with people close to talks over the energy scheme estimating the rise to £40bn. The government said it did not recognise the figure, while Sizewell C's managing directors said it is 'not accurate'. EDF previously rejected the figure, but did accept its nuclear plant being built at Hinkley Point, in Somerset, would cost more than that figure. The government confirmed a total of £3.6bn worth of investment had been put into the project so far. When was it proposed? The need for the UK to increase its nuclear power capacity has been a discussion in government since 2008, with the coalition government between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats identifying Sizewell as a suitable site in 2010. Nuclear plants are seen as increasingly important electricity sources as the government tries to decarbonise Britain's grid by 2030, replacing fossil fuels with green power. Three other public consultations were held with 10,000 Sussex residents, with the final one finishing in September 2019. Planning permission was granted to EDF by the government in July 2022, with the site also receiving its nuclear licence granted in May 2024. Will Sizewell C improve our energy prices? In announcing the plans, Ed Miliband argued it would boost Britain's energy security by reducing reliance on buying power from overseas. The project will be funded via household electricity bills, adding about £1 a month to the cost of power over the plant's 60-year lifespan. But it is hoped that the overall impact of the plant will be lower bills as a result of a cheaper energy supply. The investment comes amid concerns that the dash towards clean power could reduce our energy security and leave Britain vulnerable. Why are the plans controversial? There has been strong opposition against Sizewell C since it was announced by environmentalists who have argued the plans are 'too slow', and that it will impact the natural wildlife of the area. Campaign groups Stop Sizewell C and Together Against Sizewell C both fear the plant could have negative effects and have demonstrated against the plans on several occasions. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have similarly protested against the impact on the local wildlife on the Sussex coast. Alison Downes of Stop Sizewell C said ministers had not 'come clean' about the full cost of the project, which the group have previously estimated could be some £40 billion. 'There still appears to be no final investment decision for Sizewell C, but £14.2 billion in taxpayers' funding, a decision we condemn and firmly believe the government will come to regret. 'Where is the benefit for voters in ploughing more money into Sizewell C that could be spent on other priorities, and when the project will add to consumer bills and is guaranteed to be late and overspent just like Hinkley C?
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What is Sizewell C and what does it mean for Suffolk?
Plans for the Sizewell C nuclear power station have taken a step closer to the final go-ahead after the government announced significant funding. But what exactly is Sizewell C and what are the arguments for and against it? French energy company EDF wants to build a new two-reactor nuclear power station on the east Suffolk coastline that could generate 3.2 gigawatts of electricity. It claims Sizewell C could power the equivalent of about six million homes and will generate electricity for 60 years. The power station will sit right next to Sizewell B that has been operating since 1995, just off Sizewell beach, close to the town of Leiston. The decommissioned Sizewell A site, which first opened in 1967, can also be found here. To generate nuclear power in non-military reactors, uranium atoms are bombarded by much smaller neutron particles. This causes the atoms to break down in process called nuclear fission, which releases huge amounts of energy as heat. The heat is used to boil water, producing steam, which drives turbines and generates electricity. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the plants are among the "safest and most secure facilities in the world" and are subject to strict international safety standards. In 2008, the then Labour prime minister, Gordon Brown, said the UK needed to increase its nuclear power capacity. Two years later during the coalition government between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, Sizewell was identified as a site suitable for a new power station. In November 2012, EDF launched its first public consultation to get the feedback of local people ahead of any formal planning application. Three other public consultations were held, with the final one finishing in September 2019. Sizewell C said more than 10,000 East Suffolk residents had been involved in the consultations. In May 2020, EDF submitted an application for a development consent order to build the power station. This is a legal document that grants permission for large-scale and nationally significant projects in England and Wales. This was granted by the government in July 2022 despite the Examining Authority recommending it was not approved over water supply and nature concerns. The site has also had its nuclear licence granted too in May 2024. While both these have been given, there were still questions over how it would be funded. The power station is expected to cost about £20bn. EDF previously rejected claims the project would cost £40bn, but did accept its nuclear plant being built at Hinkley Point, in Somerset, would cost more than that figure. The government confirmed a total of £3.6bn worth of investment had been put into the project so far. This included some funding from a subsidy scheme called Devex. The government said it would now be investing £14.2bn to build Sizewell C - this figure included £2.7bn announced in November last year, a spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security confirmed. It means £17.8bn has been invested in the project in total. However the government said a final decision on the funding model was due later this summer as the project was still in need of private investors. Ministers and EDF previously said there had been plenty of potential investors coming forward and an agreement was close to being finalised. No new nuclear power plant has opened in the UK since 1995 when Sizewell B began operating. According to the government, all existing nuclear stations with the exception of Sizewell B, are likely to be phased out by the early 2030s. The government has previously said it was on a "mission" to deliver clean power by 2030 and reach its net zero target. Nuclear power stations do not produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide or methane while in operation and therefore it could be key to help with this goal. The government also said this "clean, homegrown power" could play a part in building economic growth, improve its energy security and reduce the country's dependency on fossil fuels. Another key argument around the project is the jobs it could create for the surrounding areas. While in construction, the project could employ up to 10,000 people and once in operation there will be 900 people employed at Sizewell C. There has been strong opposition against Sizewell C since it was announced. Campaign groups Stop Sizewell C and Together Against Sizewell C both fear the plant could have negative effects across a range of different areas. Both have significant worries over the environmental impact and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has similarly protested in the past over this fear. Sizewell C has argued it has worked to protect the wildlife around the site by rehoming displaced animals in new nature reserves it has created. The campaign groups also argue the project is "too slow" to combat climate change and is too expensive. Alison Downes, director of Stop Sizewell C, said the government would come to "regret" its most recent investment announcement and felt the money could be spent elsewhere. If the final investment decision on the funding model this summer goes ahead without issue, Sizewell C could be operational by the 2030s. Sizewell C also recently announced plans to open a post-16 college in Leiston which it hoped would help train up its future workforce. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Sizewell C boss 'optimistic' it will get go-ahead Latest legal challenge against Sizewell C launched What does Leiston make of Sizewell C's plan for a college? 'Nothing prepared us for Sizewell C devastation' EDF reject claims Sizewell C will cost £40bn Five signs Sizewell C is gearing up for go-ahead Sizewell C
