UK set to secure a stake in Sizewell C nuclear venture
The Sizewell C nuclear power project, a key part of the UK government's push to transition away from fossil fuels, has undergone significant changes in ownership following recent government buyouts and anticipated new investors.
As of the most recent official updates in late 2024 and mid-2025, the UK Government (HMG) holds the largest stake at approximately 83.5%, followed by EDF with 16.5%, and Brookfield Asset Management, expected to take more than 20% once final agreements are reached. Centrica's involvement has not been finalized.
The UK Government's stake is set to decrease once private investment is secured, with EDF preparing to reduce its holdings to around 12.5% after the Final Investment Decision (FID) is made and new investors join. Brookfield, which owns 51% of Westinghouse, is expected to take over 20% of the project, but this investment has not been confirmed yet. Centrica's participation has not been finalized and is not part of the current ownership structure.
The FID will trigger new investor entry and any official updates to these percentages. The announcement about EDF's reduced holdings in the Sizewell C project was made during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK.
The Sizewell C project, located in Suffolk, England, is expected to be "majority public funded," with the government committing £14.2bn and electricity consumers charged a fee on their bills to help fund its construction, reducing the risk for investors. However, industry estimates suggest the final cost could be close to £40bn, a figure not accepted by the government and Sizewell.
The UK energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has stated that Sizewell C would mark the beginning of a "golden age" for nuclear power in Britain. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has confirmed that the government will remain a "significant" shareholder in the Sizewell C project.
[1] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2024, November 30). Sizewell C: Government to become majority shareholder. [Press release] [4] Financial Times. (2025, July). Sizewell C: The latest on the UK's new nuclear power station. [Article]
Investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power project is expected to come from new private investors once the Final Investment Decision (FID) is made. The UK Government's stake in the project is set to decrease after securing private investment, as the government aims to transition from being a "majority public funded" project to attracting more investment from the finance sector.
