Blueprints for net zero on time

UK COMMITTED TO NUCLEAR POWER Plans to provide 25% of country’s electricity needs.

The UK government yesterday announced plans for what it said was the country’s “biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years” to bolster its energy independence and meet carbon emission targets.

The Civil Nuclear Roadmap includes exploring the construction of a major new power station, £300 million (about R7.1 billion) of investment to produce an advanced uranium fuel and “smarter regulation”.

Taken together, the measures would quadruple UK nuclear power by 2050 to 24 gigawatts, enough to provide a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs.

“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,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

“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.”

The government says it is committed to the 2050 net zero target but has come under fire after announcing last year it will issue “hundreds” of new oil and gas licences in the North Sea.

It is also grappling with a costof-living crisis partly caused by a spike in oil and gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

UK Energy Minister Claire Coutinho said the plans would mean the UK would “never again be held to ransom over energy by tyrants like Vladimir Putin”.

The government said “the biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years” would “reduce electricity bills, support thousands of jobs and improve UK energy security”.

The most eye-catching proposal is the possible construction of a massive power station, construction of which is due to begin this year. Hinkley in west England is currently under construction.

These power stations will be capable of powering six million homes each.

The UK currently has nine operational nuclear reactors on five sites but many are nearing the end of their operating lives – though operator EDF intends to extending the life of two.

The UK plans to build up to eight new reactors by 2050. –