The Infrastructure Podcast

Sizewell C nuclear realities with Julia Pyke


Listen Later

In today' podcast we are focusing on the UK’s new nuclear power ambitions and specifically, exploring the Sizewell C project.

As I said a few weeks ago on the podcast, it’s perhaps one of the most significant moments for the UK’s nuclear industry in over a generation.

Last month, the government announced a multi-billion investment to drive forward this ambition with £14.2 billion committed to accelerate construction of the Sizewell C project. Alongside this comes backing for Small Modular Reactors and investment in fusion research - all part of a landmark commitment to clean energy, jobs, and long-term energy security. 

So the message is clear: this is the start of what the government calls a "golden age of nuclear." Discuss.

Well Sizewell C certainly sits at the heart of this new ambition - a twin-reactor power station on the Suffolk coast - a carbon copy of the Hinkley Point C reactor now under construction in Somerset – sitting alongside the Sizewell B station which was, of course,  intended as the start of the last nuclear golden age 30 years ago.

When operational in the mid 2030s, Sizewell C will power six million homes with low-carbon energy for the next 60 plus years as the UK’s first fully British-owned nuclear project in decades – and apparently a keystone in delivering both net zero energy and national resilience. 

But ambition is just the beginning of course. Turning that vision into reality will mean overcoming a long list of challenges — from regulatory hurdles and construction risk, to workforce capacity and public trust.

Joining me today to unpack all of this is Julia Pyke, Managing Director of the Sizewell C project. Lot’s to talk about when it comes to identifying what the government’s investment really means in practice and how Sizewell C fits into the wider nuclear revival.

And of course, what it will take to deliver this project on time, on budget. So let’s crack on…


Resources

  • Sizewell C project website
  • Government press release on Sizewell C
  • Hinkley Point C website
  • Great British Energy - Nuclear
  • Nuclear Industry Association release on nuclear investment 
  • The Stewart Review: The HS2 Experience
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Infrastructure PodcastBy Antony Oliver

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

2 ratings


More shows like The Infrastructure Podcast

View all
Political Fix by Financial Times

Political Fix

161 Listeners

This is Money Podcast by This is Money

This is Money Podcast

42 Listeners

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson by BBC Radio 4

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

109 Listeners

The Price of Football by Dap Dip

The Price of Football

368 Listeners

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government by Institute for Government

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

22 Listeners

The Wargame by Sky News

The Wargame

62 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics

3,324 Listeners

The News Agents by Global

The News Agents

1,006 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics: Leading by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics: Leading

866 Listeners

Making Money by Damien Jordan & Timeyin Akerele from Most

Making Money

10 Listeners

The Rest Is Money by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Money

183 Listeners

Political Currency by Persephonica

Political Currency

126 Listeners

How To Win An Election by The Times

How To Win An Election

27 Listeners

The Rest Is Entertainment by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Entertainment

848 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics: US by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics: US

2,255 Listeners