This project "involves the construction of a new nuclear power plant producing reliable, low-carbon electricity to help" the country achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, according to a press release.
The plant will be able to supply 6 million homes.
London has made nuclear development one of the priorities of its energy strategy, but many of its 15 reactors are at the end of their life and the only power plant currently under construction, Hinkley point C, a project also supported by EDF and the Chinese CGN , has seen its costs soar and will not open until 2027.
In the midst of a cost of living crisis driven by soaring energy bills, and given the war in Ukraine which has put energy independence back at the center of attention, the United Kingdom wants to accelerate the development of atom.
It plans up to eight new reactors by 2050 at some of its eight designated nuclear sites, with the goal of supplying 25% of electricity demand.
Sizewell C is a power plant project valued by the British press at 20 billion pounds comprising two EPR reactors with a power of 3.2 GW, of which EDF holds 80%, again alongside the Chinese CGN which holds the rest.
While China's influence in British strategic assets is regularly denounced by Conservative MPs, putting pressure on the government, the press release does not specify whether CGN will always be a partner or if it will eventually be ousted, as mentioned by the press. British for months.
Spokespersons for the Ministry of Energy, contacted by AFP, were not immediately available.
London announced in January to inject an additional 100 million pounds for the development of Sizewell C, located in Suffolk, on the east coast of the country, and "attract other financing from private investors".
And the British government has provided in its budget guidelines published in October up to 1.7 billion pounds that could be allocated to the development of this project, in which London could take a direct stake.
The executive announced in October a new model for financing its nuclear power plant projects which will weigh part of the cost on the energy bills of individuals but which should lower the overall cost of these expensive reactors.
© 2022 AFP