Sizewell

Nuclear power station in Suffolk, eastern England, 3 km/2 mi east of Leiston. Sizewell A, a Magnox nuclear power station, came into operation in 1966. Sizewell B, Britain's first pressurized-water nuclear reactor (PWR) and among the most advanced nuclear power stations in the world, reached full load in June 1995. Plans to build Sizewell C were abandoned by the British government in December 1995.

Sizewell B has an electrical output of 1,188 MW. It cost £2,030 million to construct (in 1987).

The Primary Protection System (PPS) of Sizewell B nuclear plant involves extensive integration of modern digital control equipment. Criticism of this software and controversy regarding its potential negative effect on the overall safety of the system led to a long public enquiry. However, this did not stop operation of the plant. There is now an information centre open to the public.