The UK government has officially given the green light to Sizewell C, a landmark £38bn nuclear power project on the Suffolk coast.
This flagship development will be supported by a trio of major investors: Canada’s La Caisse pension fund, British energy company Centrica, and Amber Infrastructure.
A long-awaited milestone
Sizewell C was first put forward by EDF and China General Nuclear Power Group in the early 2010s. However, in 2022, the UK government removed the Chinese firm from the project, citing national security concerns and consolidating British control over the country’s nuclear infrastructure.
The government will take the largest stake in the Sizewell C project, holding 44.9% ownership. Canada’s La Caisse pension fund will control 20%, Centrica taking 15%, and Amber Infrastructure securing an initial 7.6% share. French energy giant EDF, which originally proposed the scheme, confirmed earlier this month it will hold a 12.5% stake – down from its previously intended 16.2%.
What is Sizewell C?
Sizewell C is a proposed 3.2GW nuclear power station being developed by EDF Energy and the UK Government. It will sit next to the existing Sizewell B station and mirror the design of Hinkley Point C, currently under construction in Somerset.
Once completed, Sizewell C will provide low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes for at least 60 years. Its role is pivotal in helping the UK achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, securing energy independence, and replacing aging nuclear capacity.
A nuclear employment boom
The final approval of Sizewell C marks a watershed moment for jobseekers in the nuclear industry. The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) estimates that, throughout both the construction and operational phases, the project will deliver:
- 10,000+ jobs during peak construction
- 900 permanent operational roles
- An estimated 1,500 apprenticeships available during operations
- Thousands of supply chain opportunities across engineering, construction, nuclear safety, project management, and environmental disciplines
It will be one of the largest recruiters in UK infrastructure, supporting employment not only locally in Suffolk but nationally across the nuclear recruitment and engineering labour markets.
Skills in demand for Sizewell C
If you’re looking to break into or progress within the nuclear industry, Sizewell C offers immense opportunity. Skill areas with high demand include:
- Nuclear engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil)
- Radiological protection and health physics
- Construction and site management
- Project controls and planning
- Quality assurance and compliance
- Environmental and regulatory affairs
It’s also a catalyst for apprenticeship and graduate programmes, providing early-career pathways for the next generation of nuclear professionals.
Defining moment for the future of nuclear power
The final sign‑off for Sizewell C is more than the start of a construction project, it’s a definitive assertion of the UK’s energy strategy. After more than 35 years without launching a new nuclear power station, the nation is reasserting its capabilities. Since the completion of Sizewell B in 1987, Britain has leaned heavily on aging reactors and foreign-built nuclear plants. Now, with Sizewell C poised to begin, the UK is clearly stepping back into the nuclear arena as a builder of major domestic infrastructure projects.
This major infrastructure venture is not just a step toward energy security, it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for job creation, innovation, and long-term career development within the nuclear energy sector.
Rising concerns over cost and transparency
The long-awaited multibillion-pound deal will be part-funded by taxes and a new levy on household electricity bills called the Regulated Asset Base.
Critics have raised concerns about the financial burden on households and the lack of transparency around escalating costs. Alison Downes, spokesperson for the campaign group Stop Sizewell C, said:
“This much-delayed final investment decision has only crawled over the line thanks to guarantees that the public purse, not private investors, will carry the can for the inevitable cost overruns.”
She added that consumers would feel the impact directly:
“UK households will soon be hit with a new Sizewell C construction tax on their energy bills. It is astounding that it is only now, as contracts are being signed, that the government has confessed that Sizewell C’s cost has almost doubled to an eye-watering £38bn – a figure that will only go up. Given that ministers claimed not to recognise the cost was close to £40bn, is it any wonder there is so little trust in this project?”
Originally projected at £20 billion by EDF five years ago, the revised cost has drawn scrutiny. However, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) has defended the investment, stating that the project is expected to be around 20% cheaper than the development of Hinkley Point C in Somerset, due to efficiencies from using a near-identical design.
Build your future in UK nuclear
At Alexander Associates, we specialise in nuclear recruitment, supporting major UK and international clients across the nuclear energy lifecycle. Whether you’re an experienced engineer, a recent graduate, or looking to return to the sector, we can connect you with roles aligned to your ambitions.