The British government is planning “the biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years” to “improve UK energy security.”
In a statement, the government said it was “doubling down” on the security of supply to “protect the country from price volatility and hostile foreign regimes’ and ‘bolster the UK’s energy independence.”
Describing the Civil Nuclear Roadmap as “ambitious,” the statement outlined plans to quadruple the supply of nuclear energy to 24 gigawatts (GW) by 2050, enough to provide a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs. The government describes this as a “homegrown supply of clean, reliable and abundant energy.”
“The plans include next steps for exploring a gigawatt-scale power plant as big as Sizewell in Suffolk or Hinkley in Somerset, which are capable of powering 6 million homes each,” the government said, adding that it would be investing “up to £300 million” in UK production of the fuel required to power high-tech new nuclear reactors, known as HALEU, currently only commercially produced in Russia.
“As the first country in Europe to launch a HALEU program, the UK will lead the way from its North West production hub to provide the world with this form of uranium fuel, with the first plant aiming to be operational early in the next decade,” the statement continued.
“This builds on the ambition to return uranium conversion to the Springfields nuclear fuel site, both of which are critical to pushing Putin out of the global market.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described nuclear power as the “perfect” solution to modern challenges.
“Nuclear is the perfect antidote to the energy challenges facing Britain,” he said.
“It’s green, cheaper in the long term, and will ensure the UK’s energy security for the long term.
“This is the right long-term decision and is the next step in our commitment to nuclear power, which puts us on course to achieve net zero by 2050 in a measured and sustainable way. This will ensure our future energy security and create the jobs and skills we need to level up the country and grow our economy.”
Furthermore, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, said the measure would prevent the UK from being “held to ransom” on energy matters by foreign regimes such as Russia.
“Strengthening our energy security means that Britain will never again be held to ransom over energy by tyrants like Vladimir Putin,” she said.
“British nuclear, as one of the most reliable, low-carbon sources of energy around, will provide that security.”
As of February 2022, Europe was reliant on Russia for 40% of their natural gas, and imported significant amounts of other energy sources from Russia, such as coal. This naturally led to significant European reliance on Russia during the war in Ukraine, with German financial newspaper Handelsblatt reporting that Germany in particular resembled a “hostage to the Kremlin.”
Following the implementation of European energy independence measures since the war began, as of now, the US and Norway are Europe’s main gas and oil suppliers, according to Eurostat.