The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the new Sizewell C nuclear power station as part of its so-called 'Powering Up Britain' strategy.
On Thursday, the plan was published to show how the Government would meet its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
READ MORE: Sizewell C: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's 'greenwashing' slammed
As part of the proposals, support was announced for Great British Nuclear (GBN), the flagship body being set up to enable nuclear projects and provide support to the UK's nuclear industry.
It also said it will bring the Sizewell C nuclear project in Suffolk to the point of a final investment decision this year.
READ MORE: Suffolk's Sizewell C gains radioactive discharge permit
In his spring budget announced earlier this month, chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed the Government would be investing £700million in Sizewell C, which is expected to cost £25bn in total and provide power for six million homes.
However, campaign groups opposed to Sizewell C have slammed the decision to pursue the project, saying future generations would be saddled with 'tens of thousands of tonnes' of lethal nuclear waste and an 'investment burden of tens of billions of pounds.'
Jenny Kirtley, chair of Together Against Sizewell C (TASC), said: "Sizewell C is in the forefront of an unachievable and dangerous programme of nuclear expansion the like of which has never been seen in this country."
Alison Downes, from Stop Sizewell C, questioned how the new nuclear power station was going to be financed and said the Government had not provided the information.
READ MORE: Suffolk nuclear chiefs test CO2 capture plant at Lowestoft
She said the electricity from Sizewell C would be more expensive than renewables and create problems with nuclear waste.
She added: "Ministerial approval and the gift of taxpayers' money for Sizewell C has been granted by default, not by merit.
READ MORE: Sizewell C: Developer EDF reveals underlying loss of £4.44bn
"The government is desperate to be seen to support nuclear energy and Sizewell C is - quite literally - the only project on the horizon.
"As Hinkley Point C shows, Sizewell C would be a mistake and (developer) EDF would still be struggling to build this unproven reactor in 2035, while other technologies were racing away, or strapped for investment."
However, a Sizewell C spokesperson said: "We are delighted to see Sizewell C feature prominently in the Government’s Energy Security Plan published today.
"Sizewell C is ready to take on a vital role in helping the UK reach Net Zero whilst levelling up the East of England with rewarding jobs, new skills, and business contracts.
"Suffolk’s new power station will be a catalyst for positive change and partnerships with academia, business and environmental groups will ensure we deliver the best possible project for the county and the UK.
"Replication of the design of Hinkley Point C will drive down the cost of the project and research shows it is cheaper for consumers to have nuclear in the energy mix than to try to run the electricity system on weather dependent renewables alone."
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