It is expected that Britain will continue to obtain a large proportion of its electricity from nuclear power plants in 2050. At least that is what the British government's plans, which yesterday published in an action plan, envisage. In it, the government confirmed the strategy for expanding nuclear plants in the country that had already been issued in 2022 under the government of then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
An entirely new fleet of nuclear reactors will be built over the next 25 years. Together, British nuclear plants will then have a production of 24 gigawatts. According to the government, this is enough to cover a quarter of Britain's electricity consumption. London talks about the “biggest expansion of nuclear energy” in 70 years.
At least one – small – reactor every five years
From 2030 to 2044, one or two new reactors must be approved every five years. These are mainly smaller reactors (Small Modular Reactors, SMR). Many countries that intend to maintain nuclear energy in the future depend on these less powerful reactors, which can be mass produced.
Furthermore, Britain wants to put more large reactors into operation. In addition to Hinkley Point C, currently under construction, and the planned Sizewell C, another large reactor is expected to be built, although the British government has left an open timeline for this. Britain currently has nine operational nuclear reactors. However, many of them are reaching the end of their term.
Sunak: “perfect antidote” to energy problems
According to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, nuclear energy is the “perfect antidote” to the country's energy problems. “It’s green, cheaper in the long term and will ensure Britain’s energy security.” Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said Britain never again wanted to be dependent on “tyrants” like Russian President Vladimir Putin for energy.
Ads vs. reality
However, the current construction of Hinkley Point C makes it clear that advertisements and reality are sometimes far apart. Since planning began more than ten years ago, the project has been delayed and has become several times more expensive.
Costs have doubled to the currently forecast 32.7 billion pounds (around 38 billion euros). Completion is currently scheduled for autumn 2028. The actual construction time would therefore be more than eleven years.
The British government's announcement was met with criticism from the environmental organization Greenpeace. “Every few months, the government makes a grand public announcement about the future of nuclear energy, hoping that a major investor will believe the hype and finance this 20th century technology, but that doesn’t work,” said Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s chief scientist. UK.