The UK has been identified as the most expensive country globally for constructing nuclear power plants, according to a recent government review that criticized the sector’s bureaucracy for being overly complex. Commissioned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the report advocates for a significant overhaul of the UK’s nuclear strategy to enhance the safety and efficiency of future projects. It suggests that such changes could potentially save the country “tens of billions” in costs and address a noted decline in the nuclear industry.
The review points out that the current regulatory system is fragmented, which has led to inadequate safety oversight and unnecessarily conservative decision-making processes. It describes the industry as nearly monopolistic, with both civil and defense programs frequently experiencing substantial cost overruns and scheduling delays. Additionally, the report highlights that the UK’s existing policies on radiation exposure for workers are excessively risk-averse.
Recommendations from the report include the establishment of a centralized commission for all nuclear decisions to streamline procedures. Taskforce chair John Fingleton emphasized that these radical changes are essential for achieving a safe and efficient nuclear capacity expansion.
The UK government’s plans for nuclear development are set against a backdrop of increasing global commitments to nuclear energy, with Britain among 30 countries that have pledged to triple their nuclear capacity by 2050 in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. At present, nuclear energy accounts for approximately 15% of the UK’s electricity generation, but with eight of the current nine reactors expected to close by 2030, the urgency to innovate and expand the nuclear sector is evident.
Projects like Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C are in development, with Hinkley Point C projected to begin operations in the early 2030s. In contrast, some countries, like Germany, are moving away from nuclear power to focus on alternative renewable sources. The ongoing development of nuclear energy presents challenges surrounding public perception, particularly in light of historical safety incidents.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yq8jneqpdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss