Sizewell C gets the green light. Morson CEO, Ged Mason reacts
One of his final acts as prime minister, Boris Johnson confirms he has signed off the cash for the £20bn Sizewell C reactor in Suffolk. More than two years after plans were first submitted, development consent was granted by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng for the project in July 22. Johnson has backed this further promising £700m of government funding for the project which aims to generate enough low-carbon electricity to supply six million homes and create thousands of jobs.
Morson Group CEO, Ged Mason OBE, gives his insight into what this means for jobs, businesses and the country’s net-zero ambitions.
Ged Mason OBE, CEO of the Morson Group, said:
Sizewell C will be one of the UK’s largest ever green energy projects. By granting development consent and pledging to back the project financially, the UK government has significantly strengthened the pipeline of new nuclear capacity in Britain.
The economic development and prosperity that follows a major infrastructure project like this is significant and EDF and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce have worked diligently to make this a reality.
In addition to providing reliable low-carbon power, vital to achieving the UK’s net-zero ambitions, Sizewell C will create thousands of skilled jobs for local people and opportunity across the country. As part of the Sizewell C Consortium - a group of 200 leading organisations from across the UK - we’ve supported the movement to get this power station Built for Britain. It’s positive to see the Government remain committed to its clean energy promises and infrastructure priorities and press forward for a cost-effective, sustainable energy future.
With a 40-year heritage in the industry, we have supported a variety of projects across the existing nuclear fleet of stations such as Chapelcross, Bradwell, Trawsfynydd, Sizewell B and Hinkley Point including asset care, lifetime extensions and safety initiatives.
The Sizewell C project will require a diverse range of skills from construction and engineering to ecology; we are proud to support them in providing long-term rewarding careers.
Despite delays to the UK’s nuclear programme due to political decisions, it is an exciting time for the sector. Earlier this year we were thrilled to be appointed by Rolls-Royce SMR to support its largest recruitment campaign to date as they deliver revolutionary, factory-built nuclear power plants. Rolls-Royce SMR has the potential to be truly pivotal in the way the UK – and the rest of the world – sources and uses power.
The announcement comes midway through a pivotal week for energy security with the green light given for 8GW of new offshore wind, an investor event to pull £9 billion into domestic hydrogen production and the commencement of a £75million Nuclear Fuel Fund to boost safe and secure UK supply chains.
As a group, we are poised, ready to attract, upskill and deploy the white- and blue-collar talent needed to deliver the UK’s nuclear ambitions; supporting the labour demands and needs of our supply chain partners whilst securing rewarding careers for workers. We are proud to play a part in sourcing the talent required to deliver clean, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.
If you’re an experienced professional looking for a new challenge or feel you have transferrable skills and are interested in a role in nuclear or green energy, take a look at our live job openings here.
