China banned from Sizewell C marks a decisive shift in UK energy policy, with the government taking full ownership of the £14.2bn nuclear project.
Moreover, energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed Beijing’s exclusion from the Suffolk power plant, emphasizing strict national security safeguards for any private investment. The move follows escalating tensions over Chinese influence in British infrastructure.
The Treasury’s £14.2bn commitment to Sizewell C a replica of Hinkley Point C signals a state-led approach to energy security. Miliband called it essential for a “golden age of clean energy,” though private partners will undergo rigorous vetting.
China’s CGN, an original investor in both projects, was forced out in 2022 after paying £679m. Its dwindling stake in Hinkley reflects worsening UK-China relations, compounded by a 2016 U.S. espionage case against CGN.
The ban aligns with broader scrutiny of Chinese-owned assets. In April, ministers intervened to rescue British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant, suspecting sabotage by its Chinese parent company. Emergency laws now allow seizure of critical infrastructure at risk.
Miliband declined to name alternative investors but stressed: “It’s about who you’d want owning part of a nuclear power station.” Analysts note France’s EDF, the majority Hinkley stakeholder, may play a role.
The China banned from Sizewell C policy mirrors U.S. and EU efforts to limit Beijing’s access to sensitive tech. With CGN accused of stealing nuclear secrets, Western nations increasingly treat Chinese investment as a security threat.
Yet critics warn the UK’s go-it-alone model risks delays and cost overruns. Hinkley’s budget has ballooned to £35bn, with completion pushed to 2031.
The government faces pressure to fast-track Sizewell while ensuring competitive bids. Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho urged “transparency” on funding, questioning whether taxpayers will bear the brunt.
As geopolitical rifts deepen, the China banned from Sizewell C decision cements the UK’s pivot toward self-reliance but the price of independence remains uncertain.
For more political updates, visit London Pulse News.
