Britain Prepares Nuclear Power Push as Aging Plants Near Closure

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.



Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Leave a Reply

Video Articles

Baselode Energy To Acquire Forum Energy: The Merger Of Equals Deal

TriStar Gold: The Revised Castelo de Sonhos Prefeasibility Study

Gold is Up 30%, But the Real Bull Market is Only Starting Now! | Adrian Day

Recommended

ESGold To Expand Mine Building At Montauban In Advance Of Gold & Silver Production

Goliath Resources Expands 2025 Drill Program To 60,000 Metres

Related News

Bill Gates To Invest Billions in Next-Gen Nuclear Power

Tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates has announced his commitment to invest billions of dollars...

Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 12:57:00 PM

UK Proposes Alternative Ukraine Peace Path After White House Showdown

Britain pledged military and financial support for Ukraine totaling about £4 billion on Sunday as...

Monday, March 3, 2025, 04:24:00 PM

Energy Secretary Calls For More Nuclear Reactors: “2 Down, 198 To Go”

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm has called for the construction of “hundreds” of new...

Saturday, June 1, 2024, 09:14:00 AM

Trump Administration Wants The US To Be ‘The Leader In Nuclear Energy’

The Trump administration has set a goal to expand America’s nuclear energy capacity from 100...

Saturday, June 7, 2025, 07:43:00 AM

UK Economy Contracts by Most on Record, GDP Down by 20.1% in Q2

It appears that the UK has bogged down after spinning its tires endlessly in the...

Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 11:46:47 AM