Sizewell C nuclear power plant project moves ahead, contracts worth billions of euros signed

Framatome has announced the signing of contracts worth several billion euros with Sizewell C Ltd. The contracts cover the supply of key equipment for two reactor units, from the design phase through to commissioning.

In addition, a long-term contract has been signed for fuel supply and maintenance of the units during the plant’s operation. Framatome, which is 80.5% owned by EDF and 19.5% by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will be responsible for supplying primary circuit systems, safety systems, and the plant’s instrumentation and control systems.

Experience from Hinkley Point C

EDF plans to build two EPR reactors at the Sizewell C site, with a combined installed capacity of 3.2 GWe, equivalent to the average consumption of around six million households. The plant will have a design very similar to that of the two-unit Hinkley Point C plant, which is under construction in Somerset.

Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome, said the company was "proud to continue supporting the UK’s goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050", adding that the project would benefit from valuable experience gained during the construction of Hinkley Point C.

Sizewell C project’s history and Chinese links

In October 2016, EDF agreed with China General Nuclear (CGN) to jointly develop the Sizewell C project. EDF held an 80% stake and CGN a 20% stake. However, the "golden era" of UK-China relations came to an end as the British government changed its approach to Chinese investment in recent years over security concerns.

In November 2022, the British government invested GBP 679 million (CZK 20.1 billion) and became a 50% partner in the project. Additional funding of GBP 511 million (CZK 15.1 billion) was provided in summer 2023. Further financial support of GBP 1.3 billion (CZK 38.4 billion) was approved in January 2024 to provide the necessary infrastructure, such as roads and railways, allowing the project to proceed until a final investment decision is made.

In November 2022, EDF said it planned to retain only a minority stake, of no more than 20%, at the final investment decision. Last month, Sizewell C Ltd, a company majority-owned by the British government, signed an agreement with EDF Energy to purchase the land where Sizewell C plans to build.