A complex system drives soaring prices
The UK now ranks as the most expensive place to build nuclear plants, according to a government review. The report blames an overly complex bureaucracy for pushing costs higher than anywhere else. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ordered the review to trigger a radical reset of nuclear policy. The taskforce says streamlined rules could save Britain tens of billions and reverse years of decline. The government aims to launch a new generation of nuclear plants to secure energy supplies and support net-zero goals.
Fragmented oversight slows progress
The review highlights a fragmented safety system that lacks clear oversight. This structure leads to conservative and costly decisions that do not match real risks. The authors describe a near-monopolistic industry with frequent cost overruns and long delays in both civil and defence programmes. Nuclear stations remain essential for Britain’s energy future. The report warns that the UK risks missing a global nuclear revival. It also says the sector follows excessively risk-averse rules, including strict limits on staff radiation exposure.
A one-stop agency for nuclear decisions
The taskforce proposes a single commission with unified powers for nuclear decisions. Chair John Fingleton argues that the reforms are bold but necessary. He says simpler regulation can maintain or improve safety while delivering new capacity quickly and affordably. The government plans to respond to the findings in this month’s Budget. Several major economies now reassess their nuclear plans. The number of plants planned or proposed matches the number already operating worldwide. The UK joins 30 nations pledging to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 to cut emissions.
Aging reactors push the need for new builds
Britain’s nuclear stations produce about 15% of its electricity in 2024. The country runs nine reactors, but most will close by 2030. New projects are under way, yet they will take years to start generating power. Hinkley Point C in Somerset should come online in the early 2030s. Sizewell C will follow later that decade and could power six million homes. The UK also invests in small reactors that can be built faster than traditional plants. France plans at least six new reactors, while China builds nearly 30. The US completed its first new reactor in more than 30 years last year. Japan revived its nuclear ambitions after the Fukushima shutdown and plans to meet a fifth of its electricity needs with nuclear by 2040. Germany moves in the opposite direction and shuts nuclear plants in favour of hydrogen and other renewables.
Safety concerns shape public opinion
Nuclear energy still divides the public. Memories of Fukushima and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster continue to influence views on the industry’s safety.
