Nuclear: the key to Britain's energy future and economic prosperity

"𝘉𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘊 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸."

For decades, coal was the fuel that fired Britain’s economic growth – powering factories, sustaining towns and creating good jobs for generation after generation.

Now Britain has marked a historic moment in the energy transition story by shutting down its last coal-fired power station.

This milestone is not only a critical step toward a cleaner, greener future, but it also raises urgent questions about energy security and ensuring that workers and communities dependent on traditional industries are included in Britain’s future.

With coal no longer in the mix and increasing reliance on renewables, the UK now faces an energy gap that can only be filled by a reliable, low-carbon source: nuclear power. Maintaining the momentum of the UK’s new nuclear programme is a crucial step for securing Britain’s energy future and driving economic prosperity across the country.

New nuclear will not only provide the stable, low-carbon electricity Britain needs to meet its decarbonisation targets, but it will also create a lasting legacy of economic opportunity. Clean energy infrastructure programmes generate thousands of high-quality, long-term jobs in all four corners of the UK – from local skills and employment to supply chain benefits across regions like the North West and Midlands as well as the East of England.

At the heart of this transition is Sizewell C, the proposed nuclear power station in Suffolk. A recent survey conducted by the Sizewell C Consortium – a coalition of over 250 UK nuclear supply chain businesses – highlights the transformative impact this project will have.

Some 85% of businesses surveyed expect Sizewell C to create jobs within their companies, and 65% anticipate these jobs will be generated within a year of a Final Investment Decision (FID). This is not a distant, theoretical promise – it is immediate, tangible job growth that can begin almost as soon as the project is approved.

Moreover, the economic benefits will extend well beyond the short term. The survey also found that 75% of businesses believe these newly created jobs will last for more than four years, ensuring stable, long-term employment across the nuclear supply chain.

Sizewell C is not just about addressing an energy shortfall; it’s about laying a robust foundation for the UK’s energy future. By investing in Sizewell C now, we are building a skilled workforce capable of constructing the nuclear power stations of tomorrow.

Approving Sizewell C is not just about one project; it is about securing the future of Britain’s entire nuclear supply chain. Moving forward with this project creates certainty for the hundreds of businesses eager to invest, innovate and expand, and places the UK at the forefront of a global nuclear renaissance. The expertise and capacity developed through Hinkley Point C will be replicated and strengthened through Sizewell C.

This level of skilled supply chain will position the UK as a global leader in nuclear technology for years to come, both securing its own clean energy future and opening up global export opportunities to support programmes worldwide in the decades to come.

However, time is of the essence. Every delay in decision-making holds back the job creation and investment promised by Sizewell C and risks the loss of vital skills and momentum in the UK’s nuclear industry. Prolonged delays could cause these opportunities to fall away, leaving the UK’s energy security vulnerable to external pressures.

The message is clear: we must act now. Maintaining the UK’s nuclear programme will not only secure Britain’s clean energy future, but also create jobs, drive investment, and solidify the UK’s position as a global leader in nuclear innovation.

This article was written on behalf of the Sizewell C Consortium and first appeared in New Civil Engineer.