The UK government has announced plans to streamline the process for building mini nuclear reactors in England and Wales as part of a broader effort to enhance the country’s energy security and economic growth. This initiative will focus on reforming outdated planning regulations that ministers believe have hindered Britain’s progress in securing clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticized the country’s lack of new nuclear power stations, highlighting that it has been “decades” since one was built. He emphasized that the government’s reforms would not only increase energy security but also generate thousands of high-skilled jobs in the nuclear sector.
The proposal has received support from unions and business organizations, though environmental groups have raised concerns. Critics argue that the government is too easily influenced by the nuclear industry, pointing to the unproven nature of some of the claims regarding small modular reactors (SMRs).
Nuclear power currently accounts for around 15% of the UK’s electricity, but many of the country’s existing reactors are set to be decommissioned in the coming decade. SMRs, which are smaller, cheaper, and produce less energy than traditional nuclear plants, are now at the center of the government’s plans. The new proposals would mark the first time that SMRs are included within the UK’s planning framework, and the government is also removing the outdated list of just eight sites previously designated for nuclear development.
Starmer further noted that the country’s energy security had been compromised due to reliance on foreign supplies, particularly from Russia. He explained that skyrocketing energy prices, driven by geopolitical tensions, have placed an unbearable burden on the public. “I’m putting an end to it,” Starmer said. “This reform will back the builders of this nation and stop those who have obstructed progress on cheaper energy, economic growth, and job creation for too long.”
The government’s move to loosen planning restrictions on nuclear sites began under the previous Conservative administration, with a consultation process launched in January 2024. Ministers pointed out that the UK is one of the world’s most expensive places to build nuclear power stations. In response, a new Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce will be set up to expedite the approval of new reactor designs and simplify the regulatory process for developers.
Conservative shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie welcomed the shift, stating that it was “about time” that Labour recognized the value of nuclear energy as a stable, reliable power source for the nation.
However, environmentalists have voiced skepticism about the government’s approach. Doug Parr, policy director at Greenpeace UK, accused the government of accepting the nuclear industry’s optimistic projections without applying sufficient scrutiny. He questioned the claimed cost, delivery speed, and safety of small nuclear reactors.
Despite this, the nuclear industry has largely praised the government’s proposals. Tom Greatrex, head of the Nuclear Industry Association, described the reforms as the “strongest signal yet” in favor of growth and clean energy. Additionally, Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, reiterated the union’s stance that achieving net zero goals is not possible without the expansion of nuclear power.
One notable project, Sizewell C, located on the Suffolk coast, remains a potential candidate for development. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously expressed support for a new reactor at the site, and while the government has not made a final decision on the project, it is expected that the outcome of the spending review later this year will determine its future.
With nuclear projects in the UK often taking decades to materialize, the government’s proposal aims to reduce delays and speed up the timeline from planning to operation. For example, the consultation process for Sizewell C alone took a decade to complete.
Julia Pyke, joint managing director of the Sizewell C project, hailed the government’s reforms as “the next step” in the journey toward energy security and economic growth. The final decisions on the design of SMRs and the future of Sizewell C are expected to be made alongside the upcoming spending review.
Stay tuned for more updates on the UK’s nuclear energy plans and what they mean for the future, only here at London Pulse News.
