The United Kingdom relies heavily on renewable wind energy and gas as well. In recent years, there has been a similar demand for gas and wind and these two sources are the country’s main energy pillars.
However, the country is actively working on its plans to modernize and expand its nuclear capacity. The Civil Nuclear Roadmap is a roadmap for the expansion of nuclear energy in the country, with the view of reducing the population’s energy bills, while making the country as safe as possible, given that the energy crisis has reminded us how important it is to have regular energy supply. This is the country’s largest energy capacity expansion in 70 years.
Key elements of this plan include exploring the construction of large nuclear power plants and investing in advanced nuclear fuel production.
In 2023, the country produced about 15 percent of its electricity from about 6.5GW of nuclear-generated capacity, however, most of the existing reactors will be decommissioned by the end of this decade, with the plan to design next-generation reactors. Plans call for up to 24GW of new capacity by 2050, which is over three times the current capacity. The idea is that a quarter of the electricity needed by then will come from nuclear reactors, according to the World Energy Association.
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One of the key aspects of this plan is improving regulations in order to expedite the development of new power plants, but also the government providing financial assistance by investing hundreds of millions of British pounds in the production of uranium for fuel. The government has also launched two consultations: one on a new approach to siting future nuclear power plants and another on encouraging private investment in advanced nuclear projects, World Nuclear News adds.
The UK is one more country to decide to invest in nuclear energy and its development to meet the goals of climate neutrality, in addition to ensuring energy security.
This comprehensive plan puts the UK on track to nearly quadruple its nuclear capacity by 2050, a rather ambitious plan.
Energy Portal
