All posts by Alison Downes
Plans for Sizewell C nuclear power station receive a setback
Jessica Hill, East Anglian Daily Times, 11 July 2018
Read in full: http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/nuclear-power-station-in-suffolk-in-race-against-hitachi-wylfa-plant-in-wales-1-5602731
Plans for Sizewell C nuclear power station receive a setback
Government advisers have dealt a blow to plans for Sizewell C by recommending that only one nuclear power station should be built in the next few years, because renewable energy sources could prove to be a safer option.
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) said the government should cool down plans for a nuclear new build programme that envisage as many as six plants being built.
Sir John Armitt, the NIC’s chairman, said he was “agnostic” about whether the next power station should be the one Hitachi want to build in Wales, or Sizewell C, which EDF Energy hopes to have up and running in Suffolk by 2031.
Newly published research commissioned by the NIC found that nuclear and renewables could meet climate targets for comparable costs. Aurora Energy Research concluded that, whichever technology was pursued, the power sector would
have to reach zero emissions by 2050 to hit legally binding carbon goals.
Paul Collins, Co Chair of Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS), said his group are “deeply concerned” at the prospect of an intensified race between new nuclear projects.
“EDF is reportedly planning to hold Stage 3 consultations in January, but that seems too soon given the work they still have to do. In our recent meetings with the company it is abundantly clear that many Sizewell C & D plans are up in the air, including the questions of whether the B1122 (the main access route to deliver the development) is fit for purpose, or a jetty can be constructed safely for transporting construction materials, let alone our ongoing arguments against a single site worker accommodation campus.
“Crucial environmental assessments will also not be completed by the end of the year.”
There is also growing speculation that EDF Energy is planning to sell part of its 80 percent stake in Britain’s nuclear plants.
The Sunday Times reported that China General Nuclear (CGN) was in early-stage talks with EDF Energy and its partner Centrica (CNA.L) about acquiring a share of up to 49 percent in Britain’s fleet of eight power stations, which include Sizewell B in Suffolk. If successful, the deal could give China greater access to critical infrastructure projects in the UK.
CGN is currently working with EDF Energy to develop a new nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex.
EDF boss offers to meet campaigners to hear concerns over Sizewell C
Campaigners who felt they were snubbed by EDF Energy boss Simone Rossi during a visit to Suffolk have now been offered the chance to meet him to discuss Sizewell C.
Chief executive officer Mr Rossi addressed the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce in Kesgrave recently but disappointed campaign groups by choosing not to visit the power plant site.
Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell C (TEAGs) had invited Mr Rossi to visit communities in east Suffolk most affected by EDF’s proposals to see the impact the huge development would have on the area.
The group says it has now received a letter saying he would be at Sizewell on September 7 and offering to meet.
Alison Downes, co chair of TEAGS, said: “We welcome the opportunity to meet Simone Rossi in September, some ten months after we wrote to him, overdue though it is.
“However, what we want most is the chance to show him our parish and the area around Minsmere – as we requested in our original letter – so that he may better understand this special place and how it will be affected during the construction of Sizewell C.
“Since we are the community that stands on the very front line of EDF’s plans for two new reactors, we most certainly deserve Simone Rossi’s attention. We urge him to take a fresh approach to tackling these cumulative and unacceptable impacts.
“We’ll be calling on him to adopt a different accommodation strategy, utilising split sites; to acknowledge that the B1122 is not fit for purpose and that Sizewell needs a relief road; and to address much more openly the impacts on this fragile environment.”
Jim Crawford, Sizewell C project development director, said EDF had met with members of TEAGs in May, discussed their concerns and offered a follow-up meeting. “We are also going to organise a visit for the group to see Hinkley Point C, in Somerset, as they said this would be helpful,” he added. “Our meeting with TEAGS is part of a commitment to meet and keep open communications with a wide variety of organisations in the areas close to our development proposals.”
Mr Crawford added EDF’s Leiston High Street office was open during the week for people to visit.