Plans for Sizewell C in Suffolk hit a new milestone on Monday as the government opened up applications to prospective investors in the nuclear project.
Having granted developer EDF Energy approval to build the site last year, the latest move will see investors apply for a stake in the 3.2-gigawatt nuclear project.
According to the government, those with “substantial experience in [...] infrastructure projects” are being sought, though they will face “strict” security checks.
“Investing in Sizewell C is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the UK’s nuclear revival,” net zero secretary Claire Coutinho said.
“We are focused on securing good value for taxpayers and look forward to seeing strong and competitive bids to be a part of this exciting project.”
Though the government has already invested £700 million in the project, alongside £511 million to prepare the site for construction, criticism has been raised over the plans.
Timescales and costs have both been scrutinised, with Sizewell C’s sister project Hinkley Point C in Somerset having faced lengthy delays and an ever-increasing price tag.
Questions over water supply for the plant and its effects on local wildlife have also been raised, with campaign group Together Against Sizewell C granted approval to challenge the plant’s go-ahead for a second time by the Court of Appeal on Monday.
According to campaigners, the impact of supplying 2.2 million litres of water to the site daily was not assessed before Sizewell C was granted the go-ahead.
Where this water will come from also remains in question, it added.
“After nearly 15 years of consultation and planning it is astonishing that this £30 billion-plus nuclear project has no clear path towards a sustainable operational plan for its water requirements,” group chair Jenny Kirtley said.
The government has been eager to press ahead with the plans though, with Britain targeting a quarter of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2050.