£100million of taxpayers’ cash to be used to turbocharge nuclear plant development

SOME £100million of taxpayers’ cash is to be used to turbocharge development of a nuclear plant.

While the UK grapples with the energy crisis, the planned £20billion Sizewell C in Suffolk could produce 3.2 gigawatts of low carbon electricity.

That is enough to power six million homes and support 10,000 jobs.

The project is being developed by France’s EDF and a controversial Chinese partner.

It is a near replica of Hinkley Point C in Somerset, which is more than five years into construction.

And it would help to reduce Britain’s exposure to volatile gas prices.

The £100million commitment to EDF from Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will be revealed today.

It is a refundable sum and could lead to EDF’s Chinese partner CGN being axed from the project.

Mr Kwarteng said: “We need to ensure Britain’s future energy supply is bolstered by reliable, affordable, low carbon power generated in this country.”

Simone Rossi, EDF’s chief executive, said: “It will lower energy costs for consumers and help to insulate the UK from global gas prices.”