Campaigners against Sizewell C take their case to Court of Appeal
The High Court previously refused to allow a review of the Government's decision to give the go ahead to a third nuclear reactor
Last updated 1st Nov 2023
Campaigners opposed to the Sizewell C nuclear project on the Suffolk coast will take their case to the Court of Appeal later today.
It's after the High Court refused to allow a review of the Government's decision to give the go ahead to a third nuclear reactor - despite fears about its environmental impact.
'Together Against Sizewell C' argue a desalination plant will be needed to guarantee a permanent water supply of 2.2 million litres per day for Sizewell C.
But the group say the environmental impact of a plant like this was not included in the planning application for the nuclear power plant, and therefore wasn't properly assessed.
"No clear path towards a sustainable operational plan"
Together Against Sizewell C (TASC) Chair Jenny Kirtley said:
“Sizewell C’s long-term potable water supply is speculatively reliant on Northumbrian Water's proposed 2024 water supply plan, which requires domestic consumers to reduce their water use by over 30% while simultaneously reducing current water abstraction levels to protect the environment.
"Sizewell C’s dependence on an energy intensive and polluting desalination plant for the 15-year construction period and potentially for 60 years of operation, should have been assessed and presented in the Development Consent Order application, but was not.
"After nearly 15 years of consultation and planning it is astonishing that this £30 billion-plus nuclear project has no clear path towards a sustainable operational plan for its water requirements."
"A billion pounds of taxpayers' cash into this risky damaging project"
Paul Collins Chair of Stop Sizewell C said:
"Despite this legal challenge, Ministers have now ploughed over a billion pounds of taxpayers' cash into this risky damaging project. This flow of funding into Sizewell C should cease until our appeal against the lawfulness of the Secretary of State's decision is resolved."
Rachel Fulcher from Suffolk Coastal Friends of the Earth said:
"Suffolk Coastal Friends of the Earth wholeheartedly support TASC in pursuing this appeal. Meanwhile we will continue to focus on saving what we can of East Suffolk's precious wildlife, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and our beautiful Heritage Coast which are already being devastated by EDF's so-called 'preliminary works'.”
What has the Government and EDF said?
A spokesperson for EDF Energy said:
"Our proposals for Sizewell C will see the creation of a 3.2 gigawatt power station, that will create low-carbon electricity that will supply 6 million homes."
"Delivering clean, reliable, and affordable power for generations"
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, said:
"Investing in Sizewell C is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the UK’s nuclear revival - delivering clean, reliable, and affordable power for generations to come.
"This project will create thousands of jobs, power 6 million homes and will boost our energy security.
"We are focused on securing good value for taxpayers and look forward to seeing strong and competitive bids to be a part of this exciting project."
"Help to create a future-proof low-carbon energy system"
Sizewell C Company Joint Managing Director, Julia Pyke, said:
"The launch of the formal equity raise opens another exciting phase for the project, following a positive response from investors during market testing.
"Investors who participate in Sizewell C would be contributing to one of the biggest clean energy projects in the UK. They should feel confident in our proposals as we are building a replica project with government backing, a mature reactor design and a workforce ready to build it.
"We look forward to starting the main site construction and delivering this vital project which will reduce costs for consumers and help to create a future-proof low-carbon energy system for Britain."