UK plans eight new nuclear power reactors plus Small Modular Reactors
To combat rising global energy prices and volatility in international markets due to the pandemic and the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Great Britain has new plans to boost long-term energy independence and security with the increase of clean and affordable energy. The new and ambitious plan includes increased efforts in the acceleration of clean energy generation, such as nuclear and renewables.
The British Energy Security Strategy outlines how Great Britain will accelerate homegrown power for greater energy independence
This plan is laid out in the British Energy Security Strategy, a policy paper that outlines how Great Britain will accelerate homegrown power for greater energy independence. The objective is to produce 95% of low-carbon electricity in Britain by 2030, with an ambition of up to 24 GW by 2050 from safe, clean, and reliable sources of power. This will call for a quicker expansion of new nuclear, wind, solar and hydrogen generation, including delivering one nuclear reactor a year instead of one a decade, as previously planned. This will also generate over 40,000 more jobs in clean industries. Subject to technology readiness from industry, Small Modular Reactors will form a key part of the nuclear project pipeline.
The objective is 95% of low-carbon electricity in Britain by 2030, with an ambition of up to 24GW by 2050
A new government body, Great British Nuclear, will be set up immediately to bring forward new projects, backed by substantial funding. The plan is to advance a series of projects as soon as possible this decade, including the Wylfa B nuclear project in Anglesey, a nuclear site proposed in 2020 that will now get back on track. This could mean delivering up to eight reactors, equivalent to one reactor a year instead of one a decade, accelerating nuclear generation in Britain.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that these bold plans will reduce Britain's "dependence on power sources exposed to volatile international prices we cannot control, so we can enjoy greater energy self-sufficiency with cheaper bills."
The plan is to advance a series of projects as soon as possible this decade, including the Wylfa B nuclear project in Anglesey
The British Energy Security Strategy builds on the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, Together with the Net Zero Strategy, this strategy is driving an unprecedented £100 billion of private sector investment into new British industries and supporting 480,000 new clean jobs by the end of the decade.
The strategy follows a series of engagements by the Prime Minister and ministers with key industry leaders, including from the oil and gas, wind and nuclear sectors. The government continues to work with the industry in the coming weeks to drive forward these commitments as fast as the industry can deliver.
United Kingdom has 11 nuclear power plants in operation and two more reactors under construction. In 2020, nuclear power produced 14.5% of the electricity of the country.
