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UK nuclear costs soar as report slams 'overly complex' regulations
A government-commissioned review has labeled the UK the "most expensive place in the world" to build nuclear power plants, citing "overly complex" bureaucracy and risk-averse policies that inflate costs by "tens of billions." The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, assembled under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urged a "radical reset" to revive the struggling sector and meet net-zero targets.
Call for regulatory overhaul
The report, released Monday, criticizes the UK's "fragmented" regulatory framework for nuclear energy, arguing it imposes "conservative and costly decisions not proportionate to actual risks." Key issues include radiation exposure limits for workers that are stricter than in medical settings, such as dentistry, and a planning system bogged down by delays.
Taskforce chair John Fingleton told the BBC's Today programme that current rules stifle progress: "Motorways wouldn't be useful if we all drove at five miles an hour-but that's what we're doing in nuclear safety." He emphasized that streamlining regulations could maintain or even enhance safety while cutting costs.
Global nuclear push contrasts with UK delays
The UK's ageing nuclear fleet-nine reactors providing ~15% of 2024's electricity-faces a looming crisis, with eight set to close by 2030. New projects like Hinkley Point C (Somerset) and Sizewell C (Suffolk), capable of powering millions of homes, won't operate until the 2030s. Meanwhile, the government is exploring smaller, faster-to-build reactors to bridge the gap.
Globally, nuclear expansion accelerates: France plans six new reactors, China has nearly 30 under construction, and the US completed its first new reactor in 30 years in 2024. Japan, post-Fukushima, now targets nuclear for 20% of its 2040 electricity mix. The UK joins 30 nations pledging to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 to slash emissions.
Divided opinions on nuclear's future
Critics argue nuclear's high costs stem from inherent technological challenges, not regulation. Mike Childs of Friends of the Earth told the BBC: "Nuclear has always been extraordinarily expensive. Investing in renewables, efficiency, and storage is the economically sensible path to affordable energy bills."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband countered that the government aims for a "golden age of new nuclear," balancing safety, affordability, and energy sovereignty. The report's recommendations will inform the upcoming Budget, expected later this month.
"Our solutions are radical, but necessary. By simplifying regulation, we can maintain safety while delivering nuclear capacity quickly and affordably."
John Fingleton, Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce chair
