The United Kingdom on Tuesday pulled Chinese nuclear company CGN out of construction on its new Sizewell C nuclear project, which will now be built alongside remaining French partner EDF.
The statement came a day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned that the “golden age” of UK-China relations was “over”, adding that Beijing posed a “systemic challenge” to Britain’s interests and values .
The United Kingdom plans to invest 700 million pounds (about 810 million euros) in the project, an amount that matches EDF.
Sizewell C, under development on the coast of Suffolk, England, will supply the equivalent of about six million households.
Nuclear and renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind, are seen as essential to boosting Britain’s energy security after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a major producer, sent domestic gas and electricity bills soaring this year.
Sizewell’s decision raises questions about CGN’s role alongside EDF in the construction of Hinkley Point in the South West of England, the UK’s first new nuclear steel plant in more than two decades.
“The UK Government’s investment in Sizewell C will support further development of the project,” the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The investment also allows China General Nuclear to exit the project, including purchase costs, taxes due and trade agreements,” he added.
‘Energy sovereignty’
The UK says Sizewell will provide cleaner energy than fossil fuels and create thousands of jobs for the local area and national economy.
“The Government’s historic £700m stake in Sizewell C is central to the new blueprint for Britain’s energy sovereignty, as plans to develop the new plant were approved today,” the BEIS added.
“This is expected to create 10,000 highly skilled jobs and provide reliable, low-carbon energy to the equivalent of six million households for more than 50 years.”
The project represents a “revitalisation” of Britain’s nuclear industry with the first state aid for a nuclear project in more than three decades, he said.
Tuesday’s news also comes after Britain launched an official energy-savings campaign this week to encourage Britons to use less energy as it aims to cut overall energy demand by 15% by 2030.
“Today’s landmark agreement to support the government’s development of Sizewell C is critical to this, moving us toward greater energy independence and away from the risks that dependence on volatile global energy markets poses to what our supply entails. brings,” added Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps.
“This package of measures ensures a safe supply now and for future generations.”
The UK has a total of 15 nuclear reactors at eight sites across the country, but many of them are approaching end of life.
Source: DN
