The UK government revealed plans on Thursday for the largest expansion of nuclear power in 70 years to boost energy independence and fulfill carbon reduction limits.
The Civil Nuclear Roadmap calls for the construction of a big new power station, 300 million pounds ($382 million) in investment to create enhanced uranium fuel and smarter regulation.
Taken combined, the proposals would triple UK nuclear capacity by 2050 to 24 gigawatts, enough to meet a quarter of the country’s electrical needs.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, “Nuclear is the perfect antidote to the energy challenges facing Britain — it’s green, cheaper in the long-term, and will ensure the UK’s energy security”.
“This is the right long-term decision and is the next step in our commitment to nuclear power, which puts us on course to achieve net zero by 2050 in a measured and sustainable way”, Sunak continued.
The government claims it is dedicated to the 2050 net zero targets, but it has faced criticism for declaring last summer that it will award hundreds of additional oil and gas licenses in the North Sea.
It is also dealing with a cost-of-living dilemma, which was exacerbated by the rise in oil and gas costs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Energy minister Claire Coutinho stated that the policies would ensure that the UK was never again held hostage over energy by tyrants like Vladimir Putin.
The government stated that the projects represented the largest expansion of nuclear power in 70 years and would reduce electricity bills, support thousands of jobs, and improve UK energy security.
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