Giving a speech at the Nuclear New Build Forum in London she said: “Hinkley C is only the first in a series of proposed new nuclear projects in the pipeline. It will blaze a trail for further nuclear development.”
The industry has put forward proposals to build 18GW of new nuclear capacity at six sites in the UK – Hinkley Point, Sizewell, Bradwell, Moorside, Wylfa and Oldbury.
Leadsom continued: “This pipeline could deliver around a third of the electricity we will need in the 2030s; reduce our carbon emissions by more than 40 million tonnes; bring an estimated £80 billion of investment into the UK and employ up to 30,000 people across the new nuclear supply chain at the peak of construction.”
The minister said building new nuclear plants would keep Britain “at the forefront of nuclear development” but warned that with 70 per cent of highly skilled nuclear workers due to retire by 2025, “it is essential to take action now to prevent skills gaps appearing.”
She also reiterated the government’s support for Hinkley Point C, saying it is “a very good deal for the people of Britain”. Over the weekend French economy minister Emmanuel Macron said his government’s commitment to the project is “completely confirmed”.