EDF’s Investment in Sizewell C Questioned Amid Domestic Nuclear Focus

The future of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in the UK is now in question, following a directive from the French state auditor urging EDF to reconsider its commitment to the project. The Cour de Comptes, the French government’s financial oversight body, has recommended that EDF prioritize domestic nuclear ventures and reduce its financial exposure to foreign projects, particularly those like Sizewell C that carry substantial risk.

EDF, a key partner in the Sizewell C project alongside the UK government, has already invested heavily in the Hinkley Point C project in Somerset, which has faced severe delays and skyrocketing costs. Hinkley Point C, originally estimated to cost £22bn (€26bn), is now expected to cost £45bn (€53.3bn) with a likely operational start after 2030. The Sizewell C project, similarly, has seen its estimated costs double from £20bn (€23.7bn) in 2020 to £40bn (€47.4bn).

Despite ongoing investments and the beginning of construction in January 2024, the French state auditor has urged EDF to first ensure the profitability and timely operation of domestic nuclear projects in France, a key component of the country’s energy strategy. EDF has also been advised to mitigate its exposure to the financial risks of Hinkley Point C before moving forward with Sizewell C.

Opposition Mounts as Environmental and Financial Concerns Grow

The Sizewell C project has faced substantial opposition from environmental and anti-nuclear groups, particularly concerning the plant’s water usage and sea defense designs. Critics argue that the plant’s water needs, combined with concerns about Suffolk’s water supply and the area’s vulnerability to drought, pose significant risks to both the project and the surrounding environment. Legal challenges have been filed by groups such as Together Against Sizewell C and Stop Suffolk Coastal Friends of the Earth, questioning the environmental impact of the project.

Alison Downes, executive director of the Stop Sizewell C campaign, has raised concerns about the project’s cost, warning that its affordability is increasingly in doubt. “Why does the Government continue to bankroll it when the economy is under so much pressure?” she questioned. Opponents also argue that UK households will be required to pay in advance for the lengthy construction period, without full transparency regarding the project’s true cost.

Despite the significant opposition, the UK government has continued to support Sizewell C as part of its broader energy strategy, though the escalating costs and potential delays may lead to reconsiderations regarding its future.