Sizewell C nuclear power station

Sizewell C nuclear power station is a proposed project to construct a 3,200 MWe nuclear power station with two EPR reactors in Suffolk, England.[2] The project has been proposed by a consortium of EDF Energy and China General Nuclear Power Group, which own 80% and 20% of the project respectively. The power station is expected to meet 7% of the UK's demand when it comes into service.[1]

See also: Sizewell nuclear power stations
Sizewell C nuclear power station (SZC)
CountryEngland, United Kingdom
LocationSuffolk, East of England
Coordinates52.215°N 1.61972°E / 52.215; 1.61972
StatusProposed
Construction cost£18bn [1]
Owner(s)EDF Energy
Operator(s)NNB Generation Company
Nuclear power station
Reactor typePWR
Reactor supplierAreva
Cooling sourceSea water from North Sea
Thermal capacity2 × 4524 MWth (planned)
Power generation
Make and modelEPR
Units planned2 × 1630 MWe
Nameplate capacity3260 MWe (planned)

The project is expected to be completed in the year 2031, with construction taking between 9 and 12 years depending on developments at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station which is also being developed by EDF Energy, and which shares major similarities with the Sizewell plant.

History

In 2008, the government decided that new nuclear sites should be constructed on existing sites to replace the UK's ageing fleet of reactors.[3] In 2010, the government revealed that Sizewell was one of the 8 sites that it intended to allow the development to occur at.[4] Following this, EDF Energy put forwards proposals for the Sizewell site in November 2012, where it planned to construct two EPR reactors.[5]

In 2015 as a part of the government's strategy to open the UK up to China, it was reported that after talks with China agreements had been made to develop three nuclear power plants including Sizewell C, Hinkley Point C and Bradwell B, however agreements had not yet been made over financing the Sizewell project, with the final agreement likely to be made after the construction of Hinkley Point C had started.[6]

On 21 October 2015, EDF Energy announced that it had 'agreed the Heads of Terms of a wider UK partnership for the joint development of new nuclear power stations at Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex' with CGN. At the same time, EDF Energy also announced that it 'will take an 80% share and CGN will take a 20% share' during the development phase of the project.[7]

Following extensive consultation with the local community, EDF submitted its planning application in May 2020, declaring that 25,000 job opportunities will be created and targeting 70% of the investment to be spent in UK. The plant will largely replicate the Hinkley Point C design to reuse experience, lower cost and ensure high levels of safety.[8] The proposal was welcomed by Unite the Union.[9]

On 27 May 2020, EDF Energy announced that it had submitted a development consent order application.[10] However EDF has yet to organise financing, and cannot take on more construction risk in the UK. EDF is looking to the UK government to assist on financing either by offering a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model used on less risky infrastructure, though that puts an immediate cost burden on end consumers, or through other approaches such as a government equity stake in the development.[11]

On 30 June 2020, EDF Energy announced that it had applied to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) for a licence to build and operate Sizewell C. The ONR is responsible for the safe operation of nuclear sites in the UK and for permitting new nuclear site licences – one of the key regulatory requirements for building and operating a new power station.[12]

Timeline

[13]

StageStatusDate CompletedNotes
Statement of community consultationCompleted2012[14]
Stage 1 consultationCompleted6 February 2013[15]
Updated statement of community consultationCompletedNovember 2016[16]
Stage 2 consultationCompleted3 February 2017[17]
Stage 3 consultationCompleted29 March 2019[18]
Stage 4 consultationCompleted27 September 2019[19]
Review of Stage 4 responsesCompleted-
Application submissionCompleted24 June 2020[20]
DecisionIn Progress-[21]
ConstructionNot Yet Started-
OperationNot Yet Sarted-

Construction

The Sizewell C project is expected to take between 9 and 12 years to construct and commission. Time and cost savings are expected to be significant compared to the near-identical sister plant, Hinkley Point C. As a point of reference, construction of unit 2 at Hinkley Point has progressed at a much faster rate than unit 1,[22][23] and EDF hopes to achieve similar economies at Sizewell C.

Financing

The Sizewell C project is expected to cost £18 billion. The project is being led by EDF Energy and CGN, which own 80% and 20% of the project, respectively.[7]

EDF, as of June 2020, is looking to the UK government to assist on financing either by offering a Regulated Asset Base model, though that puts an immediate cost burden on end consumers, or through other approaches such as a government equity stake in the development as the company is unwilling to take on further risk within the UK.[11] On 30 June, EDF announced that it had applied to the Office for Nuclear Regulation for a licence to build and operate Sizewell C.[24]

On 14 July 2020, 32 companies and organisations[25] from the UK nuclear supply chain formed a consortium to encourage the government to support the state-guaranteed financing model for Sizewell C, Regulated Asset Base, which the consortium says would reduce the cost of new nuclear projects by having consumers pay the cost upfront through their energy bills.[26]

Criticism and opposition

One group that is against the construction of the plant is called Together Against Sizewell C, a group that is set up locally.

Some of the group's main arguments against the development are as follows:[27]

  • The funding would be better spent on renewable energy
  • The cost of electricity would increase as a result of the construction as the build would cost more than renewables
  • The health risks are too great as the site would be contaminated for many years after operation
  • The economic benefits to the surrounding area would be minimal
  • The plant would be at risk from rising sea levels as a result of climate change

Concerns have been expressed[28][29] regarding one of the shareholders in the consortium, CGN, which is owned by the Chinese government and has been blacklisted by the United States Department of Commerce for attempting to acquire advanced U.S. nuclear technology and material for diversion to military use.[30][31]

See also

References
  1. "EDF Energy submits plans for Sizewell C". Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  2. "Sizewell C proposals". Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. "New nuclear plants get go-ahead". BBC News. 10 January 2008.
  4. "Nuclear power: Eight sites identified for future plants". BBC News. 18 October 2010.
  5. "Initial Proposals and Options Consultation Document Summary". EDF Energy. November 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. "Hinkley Point nuclear agreement reached". BBC News. 21 October 2015.
  7. "Agreements in place for construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station" (Press release). EDF Energy. 21 October 2020.
  8. "Sizewell C submits planning application". Nuclear AMRC. 27 May 2020.
  9. "25,000 jobs to build new Suffolk nuclear power station a boost for post-pandemic economy, says Unite". unitetheunion.org. 28 May 2020.
  10. "Sizewell C submits planning application" (Press release). EDF Energy. 27 May 2020.
  11. Nathalie Thomas; Jim Pickard (2 June 2020). "Plan for new UK nuclear plant under intense scrutiny". Financial Times.
  12. "Sizewell C applies for a licence to build and operate in Suffolk". 30 June 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  13. "Sizewell C proposals". Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  14. "Statement of Community Consultation". EDF Third Light. EDF Energy. 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  15. "Sizewell C stage one consultation". Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  16. "Updated Statement of Community Consultation" (PDF). East Suffolk Council. East Suffolk Council. November 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  17. "Sizewell C stage two consultation". Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  18. "Sizewell C stage three consultation". Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  19. "Sizewell C stage four consultation". Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  20. "Planning Inspectorate accepts Sizewell C planning application for examination". EDF Energy. EDF Energy. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  21. "The Sizewell C Project". Infrastructure Planning Inspectorate. Infrastructure Planning Inspectorate. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  22. "Building on experience, the route to Unit 2" (PDF). EDF. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  23. @hinkleypointc (1 June 2020). "Completion of the second reactor base has benefited from experience gained on the first identical unit – leading to increases in productivity" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. "Sizewell C applies for a licence to build and operate in Suffolk". Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  25. "New industrial consortium backs Sizewell C". Sizewell C supply chain. EDF. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  26. "Sizewell C Consortium urges decision on funding". World Nuclear News. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  27. "Together Against Sizewell c". Together Against Sizewell C. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  28. "Spy warning on Chinese nuclear company". The Times. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  29. "Britain's nuclear industry is falling inexorably into Chinese hands". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  30. "China General Nuclear Power accused of espionage with its adviser in the US". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  31. "Four China Nuclear Industry Companies Added to "Entity List"". Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
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