In a revolutionary move to secure Britain's energy future, the Prime Minister has announced the approval of new nuclear power plants across England and Wales.
This ambitious initiative is part of his "Plan for Change," aiming to slash red tape and accelerate the nation's development.
The Prime Minister's plan focuses on reforms to planning rules, paving the way for the construction of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the UK for the first time. These advanced reactors are smaller, more efficient, and easier to build, promising thousands of new highly skilled jobs and delivering clean, secure, and affordable energy for British citizens.
The latest reforms are a bold refusal to accept the status quo. The government is tearing up outdated regulations, prioritising growth, and saying "no" to what the government referred to as ‘NIMBYs’. This move follows recent changes to planning laws, the abolition of the three-strike rule for judicial reviews on infrastructure projects, and the application of common sense to environmental rules.
The UK, once a pioneer in nuclear reactor development, has lagged behind in recent decades. The last nuclear power station was built in 1995, leaving the country trailing in the global race for cleaner, more affordable energy. Currently, only Hinkley Point C is under construction, after years of delays due to excessive regulations.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“This country hasn’t built a nuclear power station in decades. we’ve been let down, and left behind.
“Our energy security has been hostage to Putin for too long, with British prices skyrocketing at his whims.
“I’m putting an end to it – changing the rules to back the builders of this nation, and saying no to the blockers who have strangled our chances of cheaper energy, growth and jobs for far too long.
“My government was elected to deliver change. I’ll take the radical decisions needed to wrestle Britain from its status quo slumber, to turbocharge our plan for change.”
While the UK has struggled, China is constructing 29 reactors, and the EU has 12 in the planning stages. These regions are gaining a significant advantage in harnessing new technologies, creating jobs, and delivering independent energy. Investors are eager to build reliable, cost-effective nuclear power to support critical modern infrastructure, such as AI data centres, but have been held back by red tape.
The government's plan includes several key reforms:
- Incorporating Mini-Nuclear Power Stations in Planning Rules: Firms can now build them in areas that need them.
- Scrapping the Set List of Eight Sites: Nuclear sites can now be developed anywhere across England and Wales.
- Removing the Expiry Date on Nuclear Planning Rules: Projects will no longer be timed out, allowing long-term industry planning.
- Establishing a Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce: This taskforce will spearhead regulatory improvements and report directly to the Prime Minister.
The government is committed to galvanising nuclear power to achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, clean jobs. The refreshed planning framework will streamline the process, encouraging investment and enabling developers to identify the best sites for their projects.
Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary, also commented:
“Build, build, build - that is what Britain’s clean energy mission is all about.
“The British people have been left vulnerable to global energy markets for too long - and the only way out is to build our way to a new era of clean electricity.
“Nuclear power creating thousands of skilled jobs. That is what this government will deliver.”
Developers will be encouraged to bring forward sites at the pre-application stage, speeding up overall timelines. The new framework includes advanced nuclear technologies such as SMRs and Advanced Modular Reactors, providing flexibility to co-locate them with energy-intensive industrial sites like AI data centres.
Robust criteria for nuclear reactor locations will remain in place, including restrictions near densely populated areas and military activity. The government is committed to maintaining high environmental standards and ensuring community engagement.
In a volatile world where oil and gas prices are influenced by global conflicts, the push for new nuclear energy is crucial for the UK's energy independence. By replacing dependence on fossil fuels with clean, homegrown power, the government aims to protect consumers and drive growth.
Image credit: iStock
