The UK government has officially given the green light to build the massive Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk — a £38 billion project designed to boost the country’s energy independence and reduce carbon emissions.

After years of delays and uncertainty, the project is finally moving forward with backing from major investors including Canadian fund La Caisse, British Gas owner Centrica, Amber Infrastructure, and French energy company EDF. The government itself will hold the biggest stake at nearly 45%.

Sizewell C is expected to power around six million homes once it’s up and running in the 2030s. It will also create about 10,000 jobs during construction. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called it a bold move that shows the UK is ready to take on big projects again.

The project comes as Britain ramps up efforts to secure long-term energy supplies in the face of global instability and rising fuel costs, especially after the war in Ukraine exposed energy vulnerabilities. Nuclear power is seen as a key part of the UK’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035 and hit net-zero by 2050.

However, not everyone is on board. Some local residents are worried about the impact on the quiet town of Leiston, and environmental groups have raised concerns about nuclear waste and safety risks.

Despite the controversy, the government says Sizewell C will be cheaper to build than the similarly delayed Hinkley Point C and will play a major role in powering Britain’s future.