EDF Confirm £1.1 Billion Investment in Sizewell C                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

As pressure mounts to secure clean, reliable energy at scale, the UK has taken a major step forward: EDF has, just days ago, confirmed a £1.1 billion investment in Sizewell C - the UK’s next flagship nuclear power station, set to be built on the Suffolk coast.

This investment signals more than financial backing, it reflects growing confidence in well-structured infrastructure delivery, and in the long-term role of nuclear power as part of a balanced, low-carbon energy mix.

Positioned alongside the existing Sizewell B station, Sizewell C will use proven EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) technology, identical to that being installed at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Once operational, the twin reactors will generate 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, enough to power around six million homes. That’s approximately 7% of the UK’s total electricity demand—delivered cleanly, reliably, and for the next 60 years.

UK-France Cooperation

The Sizewell C announcement also reflects a broader strengthening of UK–France cooperation in the energy transition. Both nations are increasingly aligned in their commitment to nuclear as a clean baseload technology, and to broader renewables collaboration.

From offshore wind development in the Channel to shared ambitions around hydrogen and grid interconnectivity, there is a clear recognition that decarbonisation is not a solo effort.

Certainly, the UK government seems to be aligning heavily in recent months with EU and European policies and initiatives. This Sizewell C investment, for example, comes only weeks after the UK-ETS and EU-ETS link up.

EDF’s investment secures a 12.5% stake, complementing growing interest from institutional investors. Brookfield Asset Management is poised to take over 20%, with Centrica in discussions for a further 15%. The UK Government, however, will retain a majority share.

The project will use a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) funding model, designed to reduce borrowing costs and attract investment by allowing staged consumer contributions during construction.

Like all large-scale infrastructure, Sizewell C is not without its challenges. Concerns around cost overruns, long-term nuclear waste storage, and environmental impact near sensitive coastal habitats are real, and must be managed transparently and effectively.

Questions also remain around the balance of public and private funding, and the long-term value versus alternative energy investments. But these aren’t reasons to retreat, they’re reminders of the importance of strong leadership, clear governance, and collaborative delivery from the outset.

Sizewell C is more than a power station, it’s a statement of intent: that the UK is willing to invest in long-term resilience, decarbonisation, and energy independence. It reflects a growing understanding that clean energy isn’t just about solar and wind - it’s about stable baseload generation that supports the system when the weather doesn’t.

With the Final Investment Decision due later in 2025, and preparatory works already underway, the path is clear. What remains is to deliver with discipline, and ensure that each milestone is met with the same resolve that brought us this far.