The British government is preparing major nuclear power announcements ahead of its June 11 spending review, ending years of delays as most nuclear plants are scheduled to close by 2030.
Britain’s nuclear capacity crisis has forced government action, with Whitehall and industry insiders saying the Treasury has “run out of road for delaying nuclear decisions.” The urgency stems from Britain’s aging nuclear fleet — five plants that generate about 15-20% of the country’s electricity are nearing the end of their operational lives.
Key decisions expected include announcing which company will receive a major contract for new small modular reactor technology and finalizing plans for the Sizewell C project. The government is also considering taking greater control of nuclear facilities through state ownership.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made nuclear power central to his government’s goals of spurring economic growth and ending reliance on fossil fuels, with energy security concerns intensifying after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We urgently need new nuclear in this country, not just for the energy security but for the jobs and the growth opportunities, too,” said Charlotte Nichols, a Labour MP.
Britain’s nuclear program faces substantial challenges. The Hinkley Point C plant under construction has seen costs balloon from £18 billion to £46 billion and is six years behind schedule.
The Treasury has historically resisted nuclear investments due to massive costs and frequent overruns. But the combination of aging infrastructure and net-zero commitments has created what officials describe as an urgent timeline.
The upcoming spending review represents what many see as a final opportunity to commit to nuclear expansion before existing plants retire without replacement capacity.
“You have to make a decision and clarify Sizewell C. The investment is so big that [if they hold off any longer] the Treasury’s numbers won’t make sense,” one official familiar with the discussions told Politico Europe.
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