Co-leader of Suffolk Green Party Adrian Ramsay calls for alternatives to nuclear energy after plans for Sizewell C receive £100million Government backing

The co-leader of the Green Party has called for alternatives to nuclear energy after the Government offered £100million towards the planned Sizewell C project on the Suffolk coast.

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng yesterday committed the funding to continue the development of the project, being run by energy company EDF.

Negotiations between the Government and EDF have been ongoing since last year.

If built, Sizewell C would power the equivalent of around six million homes, supporting up to 10,000 jobs in Suffolk and across the UK.

Mr Kwarteng said new nuclear stations were important to ensure 'greater energy independence' and create high-quality jobs and drive economic growth.

However, Green Party co-leader and MP candidate in Suffolk Adrian Ramsay, said: "Nuclear power is a burden and a risk, not a solution.

"The next decade is crucial for cutting carbon emissions but nuclear will only slow the energy transition, not speed it up.

"Even with constant injections of yet more taxpayers’ cash, the energy from Sizewell C won’t come onstream for years, whereas more cost-effective solar and wind can be deployed right now.

"At a time when people are already struggling with energy prices, it is absurd to throw yet more millions of pounds into a nuclear plant that could just drive energy prices up further [1] when we could be expanding cheaper, cleaner alternatives like solar or wind.

"If built, Sizewell C would not only be a blight on Suffolk, but it would be a drag on the UK’s race to meet climate targets."

It comes after Unite the union, which represents workers throughout the construction and energy sectors, said the Government needed to 'take the handbrake off' on the development of new nuclear power stations.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said yesterday: "The Government needs to sit down with EDF now, not later in the year, and agree a funding model that allows Sizewell to start without any further delay.

"If such a funding model requires Government support, then it should be given.

“Any further delay in bringing forward the final decision on building Sizewell will be disastrous, as the vital skills that have been learned and developed at Hinkley Point, could be lost and fail to transfer to the new project.”

“Sizewell will create tens of thousands of jobs both on site and in the supply chain. Delays could see these jobs lost to overseas competitors."