The landscape of UK energy policy is shifting, with a renewed focus on nuclear power as a cornerstone of the nation's clean energy strategy. Recent announcements, coinciding with a high-profile state visit from the US, have signalled a new "golden age" for civil nuclear energy, but what does this mean for our journey to net zero?
The UK and the United States have unveiled a landmark agreement, the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy. This collaboration is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). At the heart of this deal is a commitment to streamline regulatory processes, which officials hope will cut the time it takes to license a new nuclear project from years to as little as two.
The Impact on Renewables: Complements or Competitors?
The news of this nuclear push has sparked a debate about its potential impact on the UK's thriving renewables sector. While some environmental groups, such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, have expressed concern that the high costs and lengthy build times of nuclear projects could divert crucial investment from cheaper and faster-to-deploy wind and solar technologies, others present a more complementary view.
Academics from institutions like the University of Manchester argue that nuclear and renewables are not rivals but partners. A recent report titled "The road to net zero: renewables and nuclear working together" suggests that while wind and solar are vital, their intermittent nature—dependent on weather conditions—creates a need for a reliable, "always-on" power source. This is where nuclear shines. By providing a stable baseload supply, nuclear power could reduce the reliance on natural gas as a backup, a key step towards a truly decarbonised grid.
What Else and What's Next for the UK?
The press has been awash with commentary on this week's developments, focusing on the significant private sector deals announced alongside the government partnership. Major collaborations include:
- Centrica and X-energy: Plans to build up to a dozen advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, which could power 1.5 million homes.
- Holtec, EDF, and Tritax: An £11 billion project to develop SMRs to power datacentres at the site of the former Cottam coal-fired power station.
- Last Energy and DP World: A microreactor project to supply the London Gateway port.
These deals, along with the government's "Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050," outline a clear path forward for the UK. The strategy sets an ambitious target of reaching up to 24 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050, which would meet a quarter of the country's electricity needs. This will be achieved through a mix of new large-scale power stations and the widespread deployment of smaller, factory-built SMRs. The government has already secured land for new nuclear projects at Wylfa and Oldbury, demonstrating a tangible commitment to the plan.
This new direction, supported by transatlantic cooperation, aims to not only boost energy security and independence but also create thousands of highly skilled jobs across the country. The faster regulatory process and promised private investment are framed as essential to making nuclear a viable and timely part of the clean power solution.
Do you believe a revival of nuclear power is the right path for the UK, or should all efforts be focused solely on renewables?