Anti-Sizewell C campaigners head to London to accuse government of 'greenwashing'
The controversial nuclear power project could mean thousands of new jobs in Suffolk - but there are fears that will damage the environment
Last updated 10th May 2022
Campaigners opposed to a new nuclear reactor on the Suffolk coast have taken their message to Westminister.
Stop Sizewell C and Together Against Sizewell C demonstrated at Downing Street, the Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy yesterday.
They also targeted a meeting held by insurance firm Aviva, which has been touted as a potential investor in the nuclear power project.
Demonstrators accuse the government of 'greenwashing' the impact of a third reactor in Suffolk, by playing down the potential environmental impact of the project.
The £20bn Sizewell C could create thousands of jobs during construction and would represent a big boost to the economy in Suffolk.
The government has indicated it wants to press ahead with the project, which is yet to secure planning permission, in order to ensure the UK's energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports.
However construction will require thousands of people and heavy machinery to operate near an area of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There is currently no permanent solution for radioactive waste produced by Sizewell A and B, with most of it being placed in storage ponds on the site.
Alison Downes of Stop Sizewell C said: “We’ve come to Whitehall and Aviva’s AGM to send a message that Sizewell C does not merit either political or financial support.
"The poor track record of EDF’s EPR reactor - massively delayed and overspent wherever it has been built and offline in China for the last nine months with fuel failure and vibration problems - should sound Sizewell C’s death knell.”
Fellow campaigner Chris Wilson, of Together Against Sizewell C, said: “Sizewell C is too slow, risky and expensive to help our climate and energy emergency, and it is certainly not green, threatening protected habitats and marine wildlife and with no guaranteed, sustainable water supply."
"Even EDF’s financial advisers Rothschild & Co acknowledge there are serious ESG challenges, saying: "These are going to be big, high-profile investments that investors do not want to be controversial" so we urge Aviva to do the right thing and say no to Sizewell C.”
Stop Sizewell C has also placed a number of adverts in tube stations in Westminister and St James' Park as part of their campaign.