The Times has confirmed that plans for a third new nuclear power station in Britain could be approved, although full funding for the project has not yet been secured.
The newly proposed plant should have the capacity to generate sufficient energy for six million households. The project would be similar in scale to Hinckley Point in Somerset (currently still under construction).
The proposals have been made in the light of the government’s target of increasing nuclear power in Britain from its current capacity of 5.9 gigawatts to 24 gigawatts by 2050.
Claire Coutinho, energy secretary, has argued that the move into increased nuclear energy production will provide security for Britain, reducing our reliance on countries such as Russia.
Critics, however, point to the fact that Hinkley Point C is already three years late with an overspend of £8 billion, while Sizewell C still hasn’t received final confirmation that the investment funds will be in place (a final decision is due at the end of this year).
Confirmation that a third nuclear plant will go ahead is not expected until next year.
Emma Powell, The Times, ‘Government looks past Sizewell and plans for third nuclear plant’, 11 January 2024
