Sizewell C, the UK’s flagship new nuclear development on the Suffolk coast, reached financial close in early November 2025, signalling that full construction funding is now secured. The milestone marks the transition from planning and investment decisions to large-scale on-site works, and underscores the UK’s long-term commitment to energy security and decarbonisation.

The financing package includes around £5 billion in export-credit supported debt and an investment-grade rating, providing a stable platform for long-term capital deployment. Funding is shared between the UK government, EDF, Canada’s La Caisse pension fund, and private investors such as Centrica and Amber Infrastructure. Through the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model, the project is able to attract a broader pool of institutional capital, lowering financing costs and distributing risks more efficiently—an approach that is increasingly watched across Europe.

Following the financial close, construction activity is ramping up. Contracts have been awarded for steel fabrication in North Yorkshire, deep concrete cut-off walls exceeding 50 metres in depth, and improvements to road access around the site. A long-term delivery and engineering framework has been established, and rail transport of bulk materials has begun to reduce road congestion and emissions. Archaeological and heritage investigations also continue, with findings shared openly with the local community.

The economic effects are already visible. Nearly 300 UK suppliers have joined the project, with contracts worth approximately £2.5 billion. Over the course of construction, Sizewell C is expected to support more than 70,000 jobs and provide substantial training and apprenticeship opportunities, contributing to a broader revitalisation of UK industrial capability.

Nonetheless, debate surrounds the project. While nuclear power is framed as a cornerstone of energy security, the scale of investment raises questions about cost distribution, especially under the RAB model, which could see a portion of construction costs reflected earlier in consumer bills. Environmental groups continue to express concerns about coastal ecosystems and local wildlife, arguing that rigorous safeguards remain essential.

Despite these challenges, the progress at Sizewell C represents a significant step in the UK’s—and Europe’s—clean-energy transition. If delivered successfully, the plant will provide decades of stable, low-carbon electricity, strengthen resilience against fossil-fuel volatility, and serve as a reference point for other countries weighing public interest, financial sustainability and environmental protection in future nuclear projects.