• Carbon emissions and Sizewell C

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How Sizewell C will help achieve net zero

Reaching net zero by 2050 means we need to dramatically reduce our carbon emissions. It means we will no longer be able to depend on fossil fuels for our energy and our lives will increasingly come to depend on clean electricity.

The Committee for Climate Change estimates that demand for low carbon electricity will quadruple between now and 2050. Wind and solar will play the biggest role in meeting the challenge but we can't rely on them alone as they depend on the weather.

Sizewell C will help the UK achieve net zero because: 

  • It will provide low carbon power to 6 million homes for at least 60 years.
  • It will replace fossil-fuel energy and avoid around 9 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
  • Nuclear power is the only proven low-carbon technology that can provide reliable 'baseload' electricity to support renewables. 

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Sizewell C's low-carbon credentials

New independent analysis has confirmed that CO2 emissions from the electricity generated by Sizewell C will be even lower than wind and solar power. All three technologies will be essential in helping Britain achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Environmental specialists Ricardo Energy & Environment conducted the study concluding that emissions from generating electricity at Sizewell C are likely to be around 5.5g CO2 eq/kWh.

Median estimates for offshore wind are around 12g CO2 eq/kWh and 48g CO2 eq/kWh for large-scale solar energy.

Known as a Lifecycle Carbon Assessment, this study is thought to be one of the most detailed ever undertaken for a nuclear power station. Read more about the study's findings below.

Sizewell C's Lifecycle Carbon Assessment

Can you create the winning energy mix?

Find out about what it takes to create a clean, affordable energy mix that keeps the lights on with our Energy Mixer net zero challenge.

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Sizewell C and Direct Air Capture

The project is also part of a consortium which has been awarded government funding to carry out a design study on powering Direct Air Capture using heat. In the long-run, DAC technology linked to the power station could allow Sizewell C to become carbon negative. 

Direct Air Capture funding

Sizewell C and Hydrogen

At Sizewell C, we are exploring how we can produce and use hydrogen in several ways. Firstly, it could help lower emissions during construction of the power station. Secondly, once Sizewell C is operational, we hope to use some of the heat it generates (alongside electricity) to make hydrogen more efficiently. 

Using hydrogen power

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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 (open for visits without appointment 09:00 – 17:00 weekdays only, closed lunchtimes 12:30 – 13:30)
  • General query: info@sizewellc.co.uk
  • Media team: media@edfenergy.com