nuclear-news

UK Government unveils biggest nuclear expansion in 70 years

Jemma Dempsey – BBC News, Thu, 11 January 2024

The government hopes to boost the nuclear power industry with the biggest expansion of the sector in 70 years.

A new large scale nuclear plant would quadruple supplies by 2050, which the government claims would lower bills and improve energy security.

It also said its £300m ($382.6m) nuclear fuel programme would reduce reliance on overseas supply.

But the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) said all clean energy needed fast-tracking.

Nuclear power currently provides around 15% of the UK’s electricity but many of the country’s aging reactors are due to be decommissioned over the next decade.

The government’s Civil Nuclear Roadmap is intended to bolster the UK’s energy independence by exploring a new site for another nuclear power station of the size and scale of the £30bn plants under construction at Hinkley Point in Somerset and committed to Sizewell in Suffolk.

Industry sources have told the BBC the leading candidates would include Wylfa in Anglesea or Moorside in Cumbria.

“Dragging their feet”

But progress is could be slow – from planning to “power on” can take nearly 20 years. Consultations for Sizewell took 10 years alone and building work there is yet to start, because of ongoing protests…………………………………………………………………  https://au.news.yahoo.com/government-unveils-biggest-nuclear-expansion-013230324.html

January 11, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK