EDF Confirms £1.1bn Investment, 12.5% Stake in Sizewell C Nuclear Project

French state-owned energy company EDF has confirmed a £1.1 billion investment for a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project in Suffolk, marking a decrease from its previously reported 16.2% stake. The UK government remains the majority shareholder, having committed £14.2 billion to the project, with additional equity expected from investors like British Gas owner Centrica and Canadian firm Brookfield Asset Management. France’s export credit agency will provide a £5 billion debt guarantee to support the project, which aims to supply clean energy to six million homes and create thousands of jobs, contributing to the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy. Despite the financial backing, the project has faced criticism from environmental groups and local residents concerned about its environmental impact, economic viability, and reliance on French industry. The Sizewell C plant is scheduled to begin operation in the mid-2030s and is part of the UK’s broader strategy to enhance energy security and meet net-zero emissions targets. EDF’s investment underscores its ongoing commitment to the UK energy sector amid escalating costs and evolving shareholder dynamics.