Sizewell C will boost local biodiversity
We will look after the local environment before, during and after the construction of Sizewell C.
Wildlife has thrived for decades around the existing Sizewell B station and before that at Sizewell A. We will build on a great track record and continue to protect this precious area of the Suffolk coastline.
The measures we are taking to look after nature include:
- Designating 250 hectares of land for wildlife
- Increasing biodiversity around the power station by 19%
- Setting up an Environment Trust to manage the Sizewell estate and promote rewilding
We are not building on any land owned by RSPB Minsmere. Where a small part of our boundary meets RSPB land, we are creating a new area of wetland to allow wildlife to thrive. We will limit construction when necessary to reduce noise and we will use directional and low-level lighting. We are confident our plans will not have an impact on this important nature reserve.
Once Sizewell C is constructed, the nuclear licensed site will amount to 69 hectares - that's less than 0.2% of the total area of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. Nuclear produces a lot of electricity from a very small land footprint leaving more room for nature.
The biggest threat to biodiversity is climate change. By lowering carbon emissions, nuclear energy will help to protect the natural environment.
Nuclear uses less land
Nuclear uses a fraction of the land required by some other low-carbon technologies.
The operational site at Sizewell C will take up 33 hectares of land.
To produce the same amount of electricity using onshore wind would require 90,000 hectares of land. A solar farm producing equivalent power would need 30,000 hectares.
net gain in biodiversity
The measures we are taking will protect and enhance nature and, in the long run, will lead to a 19% net gain in biodiversity, something that's vital for restoring nature and helping fight climate change.
Sizewell C has created a nature reserve at Aldhurst Farm featuring sixty hectares of grassland and heathland and six hectares of fantastic wetland. The reserve will include areas open to the public for recreational purposes and is already benefitting a variety of wildlife including water voles, otters, eels, amphibians, reptiles and birds, as well as rare plants.
We are working with others to set up an independent Environment Trust which will manage the land and promote rewilding. This work will go beyond the ecological mitigation and landscape measures set out in our application for planning permission.
Nuclear looks after wildlife
EDF nuclear power stations have a great track record of demonstrating how nuclear and nature can exist happily side by side.
Many rare and notable species benefit from the biodiversity programmes around our power stations.
Dungeness B sits in the middle of Dungeness National Nature Reserve in Kent. Its diverse landscape is home to many unique plants, animals and birds. Staff at the power station helped to conserve what was, for a long time, the only known colony of Sussex Emerald moths in the UK.
Hinkley Point C supports the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) which manages Steart Marshes, a habitat creation scheme not far from the construction site. Steart Marshes has seen a big increase in bird populations over the last few years.
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Contact Sizewell C
- Call: FREEPHONE 0800 197 6102 (Weekdays: 9.00am - 5pm)
- Write: FREEPOST SZC CONSULTATION (No stamp or further address required)
- Visit: Sizewell C Information Office, 48-50 High Street, Leiston IP16 4EW (By appointment. Weekdays: 10am - 4pm)
- General query: info@sizewellc.co.uk
- Media team: media@edfenergy.com