Until recently we thought that USS had decided against investing in Sizewell C but it seems they may have been offered a better financial deal by the Labour government.   In summary the proposed power station to be built by EDF is an over complex design, highly likely to run over-budget and take at least 17 years to build. This is not ‘zero carbon’ electricity since building the power station itself creates very considerable carbon emissions.  When built the power station will also be at risk of flood water from climate driven sea level rises. 

EDF proposes using the same technology as being used in Hinkley Point which is massively over-budget and behind even its repeatedly revised timelines. This EPR technology has been described as ‘too complicated, almost unbuildable’ by the former CEO of EDF itself. There is no clear water supply (2.2 million litres per day for cooling) for the plant’s operation in what is one of the driest regions of the UK (and likely to get drier). Similar projects in China, Finland and France have also had considerable construction delays and financial overspends. Many have questioned EDF’s ability to deliver on Hinkley C and on the six projects it is already planning in France.

The building of Sizewell C is strongly opposed by the local community, the RSPB and we would estimate the majority of USS members.  By investing in Sizewell C USS is risking reputational damage and legal action from member institutions and individual members opposed to the financial and environmental risks of nuclear power.  

It is evident that there are considerable risks to the timely completion of this power station, and by the time it is eventually operational in two decades or more there must also be a high likelihood that it proves a white elephant, with the very rapid growth of renewables and energy storage worldwide and in the UK.

We are written to the three UCU appointed trustees expressing our views. Members of USS who are opposed to this investment can use this link to express their views https://action.stopsizewellc.org/goodpension-uss