‘Get on with it’: Johnson pressures Sunak over delayed nuclear power plans

Documents seen by i reveal that major deadlines set by the Government have already been missed

Boris Johnson has warned Rishi Sunak
that the UK must generate more of its own electricity through nuclear if it
is to avoid spikes in energy prices. Boris Johnson has told Rishi Sunak to
“get on with it” after leaked documents revealed the UK’s transition
to nuclear power has been beset by delays. Plans to power a quarter of the
national grid with nuclear energy by 2050 have slowed, with a number of
internal targets missed, i can reveal.

The documents seen by i show that
several key deadlines have not been met for the UK’s plan to rapidly
increase nuclear output. The UK’s net-zero plans rely on one quarter of
the UK’s grid being powered by nuclear reactors, and Mr Johnson told i
that nuclear is vital to help control energy bills and prevent spikes such
as those caused by the Ukraine war.

The launch of Great British Nuclear,
the governmental organisation dedicated to co-ordinating the UK’s nuclear
energy plan, was only completed six months after the initial deadline of
the end of 2022. Grants to be given to promising projects were only
announced earlier this month, despite a deadline of 2022 in the documents,
which were prepared for the nuclear industry as a means of explaining the
Governments plan. A deadline to give at least one project a final
investment decision by spring 2023 was also missed.

The documents show
there is a target date for investment decisions on two further projects to
be approved by October 2024. Mr Johnson – who declared his strategy was
the “big ticket nuclear solution” to net zero when he launched it –
is concerned about the future of what he considers his legacy. ………………………………………………………………………………The delays also follow a series of -turns from Mr Sunak onnet-zero policies, which were first introduced by Mr Johnson. The former
prime minister had prioritised green policies during his premiership. Six
development sites had been shortlisted by the Government as part of a small
nuclear reactor competition in October.

However only one site from
Rolls-Royce is thought to be currently under assessment from the Office for
Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Environment Agency, while the five other sites
are yet to progress to this stage. At the time the shortlist was announced,
Rolls-Royce hinted at frustrations at the speed of progress, with a company
statement saying “now let’s move at pace to secure the first order”

i understands that new Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho was told to focus
on projects such as nuclear upon appointment, amid industry frustrations.
With the potential of an election next year, and little movement on the
approval of six shortlisted sites, tension is building over the future of
the project. One industry source pointed to the recent announcement of an
agreement between Tees Valley Mayor Lord Houchen and the firm Community
Nuclear Power to develop the new mini nuclear reactors in the North-East.
The deal was negotiated separately from the UK’s central nuclear
strategy, amid disquiet over delays and direction. An industry source said:
“The [Tees Valley] deal is something of a warning shot to the Government.
It benefits Houchen as these sites and high-tech jobs will go to Tees
Valley if approved, and it benefits the nuclear firms to try and hurry the
Government up.”

Some investors are worried that they will not be given
the go ahead for SMR sites before the next election, causing further
delays, as Labour could change the Government’s overall approach. Stefano
Buono, chief executive of nuclear firm Newcleo, told i his business was
willing to invest “billions” in the UK if the Government provided some
clarity on the future of nuclear. He said: “We welcome the UK
Government’s strong commitment to small and advanced nuclear but remain
concerned by the timeline for delivery. “Newcleo is ready to invest
billions of pounds of private money in the UK, and create thousands of
high-value jobs in local communities with our innovative reactors. However,
like others in the industry, we call for urgent clarity on where we can
locate our operations.

iNews 28th Dec 2023

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/johnson-pressures-sunak-nuclear-delay-energy-bills-rise-2818971