UK faces 'world's most expensive' path to nuclear power, review finds
A government-commissioned review urges regulatory reform to cut costs, speed up projects, and safeguard safety in Britain's nuclear programme.
What the report says
The government-commissioned Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce flags Britain as the 'most expensive place in the world' to build nuclear power plants because of a fragmented and overly complex regulatory system.
A radical reset for safety, speed and value
The taskforce calls for a 'radical reset' to simplify procurement and decision-making, warning reforms could save tens of billions of pounds and reverse a perceived decline in the sector.
Why reform is needed
Officials warn of a near-monopolistic industry with costly overruns and delays in civil and defence programmes, and a very cautious stance on worker radiation exposure limits.
What the report recommends
A key recommendation is a 'one-stop' nuclear commission with unified decision-making powers to approve projects across civil and defence work.
Taskforce chair John Fingleton said: 'Our solutions are radical, but necessary. By simplifying regulation, we can maintain or enhance safety standards while finally delivering nuclear capacity safely, quickly, and affordably.'
What happens next
The government is expected to respond to the findings in the Budget later this month. Britain is among about 30 countries pledging to triple its nuclear capacity by 2050 to help cut carbon emissions.
State of the current fleet
Existing nuclear plants accounted for around 15% of electricity in 2024. The UK operates nine reactors, most of which are ageing, with eight due to shut by 2030.
Projects on the horizon
New reactors are being planned, but will take years to come online. Hinkley Point C in Somerset is expected to start operating in the early 2030s, followed by Sizewell C later in the decade. The government is also advancing small modular reactors for quicker deployment.
Key takeaway: Simplifying regulation could deliver safer, faster, and more affordable nuclear capacity for the UK. Source
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