The UK government has approved a development permit for the planned Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk. Commerce Minister Kwasi Kwarteng approved the planning application for the project more than two years after it was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration.

According to a government statement, the development of the Sizewell C power plant will boost the UK's low-carbon electricity production capacity and help the country achieve its net-zero emissions targets. The nuclear project will generate about 3.2GW of electricity, enough to power 6 million homes. It will be developed alongside the existing Sizewell B and decommissioned Sizewell A plants.

French energy company EDF will have a majority stake in the £20 billion project, which is expected to make a final investment decision in 2023. Funding for the project is currently being negotiated with the UK government.

Sizewell C financing director Julia Pyke said Sizewell C would significantly boost employment and skills in nuclear supply chain companies across the country. It will strengthen the UK's energy security and play a key role in our fight against climate change. Planning approval brings us one step closer to delivering the great benefits of this project to Suffolk and the UK.

Construction work on Sizewell C is expected to begin once the project has received a nuclear site permit from the Office of Nuclear Regulation and clearance from the Environment Agency. Local anti-nuclear activists have raised several objections to the nuclear project, including a planned site next to the Minsmere Nature Reserve. Keywords: engineering news, overseas news

Campaign group Stop Sizewell C said it would continue to oppose the project and was trying to find reasons to appeal the government's decision to approve it. Earlier in 2022, the UK government announced £100m in funding for the Sizewell C project.Editor/XingWentao