Work has started on Sizewell C, but is it all just a theatre stage for politics? There have been big fanfares and even major ceremonies which have helped to mark the start of the construction phase. The question is, does that even mean anything? In one sense, the construction has already begun. Land around the area has been dug up and lots of mature trees have been cut down to make space for the new development. One of the new entrances to the site has also been cleared. The Final Investment Decision, or FID, however, is the point where parties commit to building the station. This is several months away, so the ceremony that has taken place is nothing more than a stage for political theatre.

One thing to take note of here is that there is a clear political need for this particular project to go ahead. The government and opposition have shown that they are committed to whatever this project may cost. When you take into account the uncertainty regarding energy around the globe, and the need to move to carbon-zero energy, it’s obvious that we have to proceed regardless of the cost. 

A lot of people don’t have concerns about the safety of the planet, and although there are dangers associated with nuclear generation, the experience of the country so far suggests that there is nothing to fear. It can be operated safely. Given the fact that there are two nuclear plants at Sizewell right now, that need protection from the sea, it doesn’t seem that unreasonable to put the plant there as it means that the protection given, can be shared.

There are, however, worries regarding the government and the EDF. They must be seen as being equal in terms of the project. This means equality over the way it’s going to be built, as well as the impact that it is going to have on the local community. It seems that right now, an aggressive approach is being adopted. The government and EDF are planning to cause a huge amount of damage to the environment, including damage to the Heritage Coast. This is closely linked with Minsmere and Dunwich Heath.

It didn’t have to be this way though, there were other options. The 1990 plan for Sizewell C could have been built on the same footprint that has been proposed in the past but without the damage to the environment. There were plans to use the entrance that’s already there, for Sizewell B, along with the service area. Offering alternatives for wildlife, such as part of the Aldhurst Farm is great. The point about the land that is next to the Eastbridge Marshes is that there is a huge amount of wildlife and a very rich, diverse ecosystem that stretches from Sizewell to Dunwich Heath and beyond. Creating a new, star-studded nature reserve that is two miles inland looks great on paper, but you cannot replace the area that is being taken. This would be the area that is linked directly to the coast.

The battle is unfortunately lost. The government, and any future governments are going to be keen on the project. All we can do now is hope that the new habitats are going to make up for the ones that have been lost. Nick Collinson, who is from the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths group was incredibly positive about the contribution that Sizewell can offer to the area. There are, however, still concerns amongst guardians of the countryside, such as the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and even the RSPB, and quite rightfully so.

A lot of this comes down to the fact that people haven’t been engaged. This is especially the case with local people. Community forums have been set up, but a lot of people are suspicious of them. EDF has a strong record of telling people what they are going to do, but they don’t actually listen or take concerns onboard. As a result of this, people who were once supportive of Sizewell A and B have been turned off the latest project. It’s going to take a lot to bring them back on board.