£100million of taxpayers’ cash to be used to turbocharge nuclear plant development
SOME £100million of taxpayers’ cash is to be used to turbocharge development of a nuclear plant.
While the UK grapples with the energy crisis, the planned £20billion Sizewell C in Suffolk could produce 3.2 gigawatts of low carbon electricity.
That is enough to power six million homes and support 10,000 jobs.
The project is being developed by France’s EDF and a controversial Chinese partner.
It is a near replica of Hinkley Point C in Somerset, which is more than five years into construction.
And it would help to reduce Britain’s exposure to volatile gas prices.
The £100million commitment to EDF from Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will be revealed today.
It is a refundable sum and could lead to EDF’s Chinese partner CGN being axed from the project.
Mr Kwarteng said: “We need to ensure Britain’s future energy supply is bolstered by reliable, affordable, low carbon power generated in this country.”
Simone Rossi, EDF’s chief executive, said: “It will lower energy costs for consumers and help to insulate the UK from global gas prices.”