By Ayorinde Taiwo (SIWES student, Gate Way Polytechnic Saapade)
The UK government revealed on Thursday its intention to embark on the biggest expansion of nuclear power in 70 years, aiming to fortify energy independence and achieve carbon emission targets.
The Civil Nuclear Roadmap outlines a strategy encompassing the construction of a major power station, a £300 million investment for advanced uranium fuel production, and the implementation of smarter regulation.
These measures collectively aim to quadruple UK nuclear power to 24 gigawatts by 2050, providing a quarter of the nation’s electricity needs.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized that nuclear power is the ideal solution to Britain’s energy challenges, being environmentally friendly, cost-effective in the long term, and ensuring energy security.
Despite criticism for issuing new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea last summer, the government remains committed to achieving the 2050 net zero targets.
Operator EDF further extended the life of two British power plants, Heysham 1 and Hartlepool, in March.
The UK plans to construct up to eight new reactors by 2050, with a £300 million investment dedicated to producing HALEU fuel, a high-tech reactor requirement currently predominantly produced in Russia.
The government aims to position the UK as a global leader in uranium fuel production, with the first plant expected to be operational in the early next decade.
In a bid to expedite construction plans, regulators will now assess projects while designs are being finalized, marking a relaxation of rules in the construction approval process.
