25 September 2019: EDF’s announcement today about the risks of cost and time overruns at Hinkley Point undermine its own arguments in favour of proposed twin EPR build at Sizewell C, where the fourth – and final – stage of public consultations ends this Friday, 27 September.

EDF has been giving assurances that the cost increases at Hinkley Point would not hit the consumer, [1] yet EDF is known to be pinning its hopes for financing Sizewell C on the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) under which consumers would pay for Sizewell from the outset. 

“Today’s news shows all of us that using RAB for Sizewell C is a terrible idea; the government seriously needs to think again about using this model for new nuclear, where price setting would be such a regulatory minefield, given that on EDF’s EPRs the cost overruns and delays are of such epic proportions. And these risks are in addition to the huge risks of building twin reactors in such an environmentally sensitive location as Sizewell” said Alison Downes of Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS) [2]

Paul Spence of EDF’s comments also highlight the possibility of Sizewell being delayed, saying the company would be “taking the Hinkley Point design which will be absolutely completed at that point and taking the same team to Sizewell as the best way to get a low cost construction”. 

“EDF’s comments proves that the schedule for Sizewell will be wholly dependent on the schedule for Hinkley, adding yet more uncertainty, especially as further delays at Hinkley cannot be ruled out. Local people are already cynical about the benefits of Sizewell C if EDF is reliant on utilising its existing Hinkley workforce and supply chain to save money in Suffolk. Coupled with the release today of a report by the Suffolk Coast Destination Management Organisation outlining potential impacts on tourism [3], we are forced to conclude that the promised economic benefits of Sizewell C are very unlikely to be felt in the immediate area, and will be overwhelmingly outweighed by the negative impacts” added Alison Downes.

1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008nwz at 8.41 of the interview with EDF’s Paul Spence 
2. TEAGS has prepared a briefing on RAB, outlining the specific risks for potential new investors of EDF’s Sizewell C project, which is beset by major challenges being in a location known for its restricted size, environmental sensitivity and limited infrastructure. See https://stopsizewellc.org/rab/
TEAGS is also supporting a consumer campaign by Sum of Us to oppose the use of RAB for Sizewell. https://actions.sumofus.org/a/no-energy-bill-surcharge-for-new-nuclear
3. Suffolk Coast DMO report on tourism impacts https://www.thesuffolkcoast.co.uk/shares/Energy-Infrastructure-projects-to-impact-Suffolk-coast-tourism—Final.pdf

Read and watch the video online https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/council-green-lights-sizewell-c-consulation-response-1-6288510

Suffolk County Council has unanimously approved its joint response to the Sizewell C stage four consultation – but said it was disappointed questions over key issues remain unanswered.

Action groups protest outside Endeavour House, as consultations take place over Sizewell C. PICTURE: RACHEL EDGE

Cabinet met yesterday, Tuesday, September 24, to discuss the consultation and to vote on its response to EDF Energy.

More than 20 people staged a protest outside Endeavour House in Ipswich before the meeting to voice their concerns about the £14billion project.

Cabinet members said they had been disappointed the energy firm hadn’t addressed concerns raised by Suffolk County and East Suffolk Councils since the previous consultation and the apparent lack of progress on a rail-led strategy to transport construction materials.

Councillor Richard Smith, chairman of the Sizewell C Joint Local Authorities Group (JLAG), said: “Most disappointing is not what it says but what it doesn’t say.ADVERTISING

Jenny Kirtley of Together Against Sizewell C. PICTURE: RACHEL EDGE

“By the end of stage three we had generated a list of 300 issues we wanted EDF Energy to address.

“Each and every one of these issues are important to us as they arise from what the people of Suffolk want to see addressed.”

He added: “We said very clearly at the first stage of consultation, to move forward with our report and support the power station we must be confident the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.”

Councillor Mary Evans said the consultation included a “sorry apology for a transport strategy”.

Alison Downes of Theberton & Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell. PICTURE: RACHEL EDGE

She said: “Suffolk County Council understands the benefit of Sizewell C will have in terms of electricity supply and hundreds of skilled jobs.

“But I am not alone in being fearful of the impact.”

Issues over the negative impact the project could have on the environment and surrounding Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty were also discussed.

Councillor Richard Rout said more information was needed to get a full picture of the impact it would have on Suffolk’s coastline.

He said: “There’s still a stark and significant lack of detail in how it will impact on ecology of the areas affected.

Councillor David Wood, from the Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent (LDGI) Group, said Sizewell C was a “monstrous proposal” and described the consultation as having been “woefully inaccurate”.

He urged cabinet to reject the plans altogether.

Read online https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019-09-24/protests-in-ipswich-over-plans-for-a-new-power-station-on-suffolk-coast/

Protests have been taking place in Ipswich over plans for a new power station on the Suffolk coast.

Various groups gathered outside Suffolk County Council where the cabinet was discussing EDF’s proposal to build Sizewell C.

Some are opposed to the project, others say the company should do more to reduce the impact on the local environment.

Alison Downes, Action Group on Sizewell said: “There are too many studies that haven’t been initiated or shared. Independent studies on road routes, how it will affect the community and the most serious is about the environmental impacts.”

Public consultation ends on Friday, with EDF likely to submit their application to the Planning Inspectorate in the New Year.

“When we’ve completed the consultation process, we’ll then start performing an environmental impact assessment. That will have all the details on what we expect the impact to be and our proposals to mitigate those impacts for the benefit of everyone who lives in this area.”

– JIM CRAWFORD, SIZEWELL C PROJECT DIRECTORLast updated Tue 24 Sep 2019