Sizewell C: Government moves to take 20 per cent stake in nuclear project
The Government has moved to take a 20 per cent stake in the £20bn nuclear Sizewell C project in Suffolk.
But campaigners against the plans claim there are other better renewable energy solutions available to ministers.
The BBC reported earlier this week French developer EDF was taking a further 20 per cent stake in the project, with Government ministers hoping it will encourage investors and pension funds to take up the remaining 60 per cent.
But Stop Sizewell C, a group campaigning against the nuclear project, said other options were available to create energy without the need to construct the power stations on the Suffolk coast.
"We're appalled the Government plans to throw billions of pounds in taxpayers' money at Sizewell C and hit households with a nuclear tax on their bills when renewable solutions, insulation, efficiency and energy storage will achieve energy security faster, more cheaply and with much less risk," a spokesperson said.
"It's shocking that in intending to take a 20 per cent stake in Sizewell C, the Secretary of State is backing a project over which he is about to make a supposedly impartial planning judgement."
In response, a Government spokesperson said Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said nuclear was to be a 'key part' of the upcoming energy security strategy adding, "We are committed to scaling up our nuclear electricity generation capacity and building more nuclear power here in the UK, and Sizewell C is an important part of our new nuclear programme.
"This has already been demonstrated by the £1.7bn made available in the spending review to support our nuclear ambitions."
Sizewell C would generate enough low-carbon electricity to supply six million homes and provide thousands of local jobs if built.
The Government gave the project £100million of backing in January with Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng saying it was important to 'ensure Britain's future energy supply is bolstered by reliable, affordable, low carbon power'.
He said new nuclear would create high-quality jobs and drive economic growth.