UK to simplify the process of building nuclear reactors

The government has unveiled plans to simplify the process of building small nuclear power stations in England and Wales, aiming to boost economic growth in the UK. These reforms will address what ministers describe as outdated planning regulations, which they believe have hindered the country’s progress in securing clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer argued that the UK had been “let down and left behind” due to a lack of new nuclear power stations for decades. He stated that these new plans would create thousands of skilled jobs. While unions and business groups supported the initiative, environmentalists criticized the government for uncritically embracing the nuclear industry’s narrative.

Currently, nuclear power accounts for about 15% of the UK’s electricity, but many existing reactors are set to be decommissioned over the next ten years. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are smaller, more cost-effective, and less powerful than traditional nuclear plants. The new plans would be the first to integrate SMRs into the UK’s planning framework, eliminating the current list of just eight approved sites for nuclear reactors.

Sir Keir emphasized that Britain’s energy security had been “held hostage” by Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading to soaring prices. “I’m ending this – by changing the rules to support the builders of this nation and rejecting the blockers who have stifled our chances of affordable energy, growth, and jobs for too long,” he said.

The push to loosen the rules for nuclear reactor construction began under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with a consultation in January 2024. Ministers also pointed out that the UK is among the world’s most expensive countries to build nuclear power plants. To address this, a new Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce will be created to expedite approvals for new reactor designs and streamline developer interactions with regulators.

Conservative shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie welcomed Labour’s recognition of the value of “stable, reliable, baseload nuclear power.” However, Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, criticized the government for not critically assessing the nuclear industry’s claims about the cost, speed, and safety of small reactors.

Tom Greatrex, head of the Nuclear Industry Association, praised the reforms as a strong signal of commitment to growth and clean energy. Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, reiterated the importance of new nuclear power for achieving net-zero emissions, noting that Sizewell C, the proposed Suffolk-based reactor, is “ready and waiting” for approval to power the nation’s future.

While the government has yet to make a final decision on Sizewell C, which is expected during the spending review later this year, the design selection for SMRs will also be finalized at that time. Nuclear projects in the UK often face lengthy delays—such as the decade-long consultation process for Sizewell. However, Sizewell C’s joint managing director, Julia Pyke, recently referred to the project as “the next step” toward enhancing energy security and growth.