THE green light has been given for formal construction to begin at a new power station which is set to be identical to Bridgwater's Hinkley Point C site.

Sizewell C today triggered its Development Consent Order (DCO), opening the path for formal construction of the new 3.2GW nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast.

Sizewell C will use the same design as Hinkley Point C, and will benefit from all the efficiencies and expertise learned by the sister project.

EDF said the project was granted permission to build in July 2022, and while preparatory works did begin, several obligations needed to be satisfied before construction could commence.

Those obligations, set out in a Deed of Obligation document signed with East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council, and which included activity ranging from key road surveys to the establishment of Governance Groups, are all now satisfied and the formal construction phase of the project can begin.

Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Directors at Sizewell C, said: “This is a significant moment for our project in Suffolk and a big step for British energy security.

"We’ve had a really successful year of pre-commencement works on site, and we’ve been working hard with local partners and organisations to ensure we’re ready to take this next step for the project.

“While Sizewell C will be a linchpin of Britain’s energy system, it’s much more than a power station, especially for this region.

"Entering the construction phase will be a game-changer for the area, helping to boost employment and skills, enhancing the local environment, and developing new clean technologies.”