Sizewell C - WPC response to desalination proposal by EDF
Many of you will have noticed a glossy pamphlet from EDF about their plans for Sizewell C in which they make many claims about how good the development will be for the environment. So many of the statements are misleading and are challenged by nearly all stakeholders. Putting a picture of Marsh Harriers on the cover when they themselves are destroying the Harriers' habitat in the Sizewell Marshes seems particularly cynical. The claims in their community newsletter also bear little resemblance to what one hears when listening to the statements made at the Issue Specific Hearings taking place this week with the Planning Inspectorate and EDF. WPC has been at the online Issue Specific Hearings that include much discussion of habitat loss and replacement. When challenged by the Environment Agency, Natural England, RSPB and others on the huge difficulty of replacing the rare and special habitat in the Sizewell Marshes with bits of land as far away as Pakenham, representatives of EDF argued that whether or not their proposals will actually compensate for the environmentally destructive impacts should not be a reason to refuse their planning application.There was also more information on the real possibility that the operation of the plant itself could collapse key fish stocks on our coast. One would have thought that this reality would stop Sizewell C in its tracks.
If this isn't enough, EDF are belatedly admitting that they have no means of having potable water at the site and are therefore proposing to build a water desalination plant in the AONB. This is shocking given that desalination is one of the most carbon intensive processes as it runs on diesel generators 24/7. Desalination would release tons of Co2 and other harmful greenhouse gases every single day. It also has substantial impact on marine life at risk of being sucked into the pipes and from the concentration of salt and other minerals in the waste water that are pumped back into the sea. EDF is also proposing to bring 40 tankers of water from around Barsham into the site every day for the first year of operation whilst building the desalination plant adding to the hundreds of HGVs that they will be running on our local roads each day.
WPC has provided written objection to this proposal which can be seen by following the link to WPC Water consultation response. In addition, WPC has joined a letter with 31 other Parish and Town Councils objecting to the short consultation period and lack of information so late in the day.
You can follow all the updates from Walberswick Parish Council on Sizewell C by following the link to: WPC Sizewell Consultation