Released February 26, 2025 | GALWAY, IRELAND
en
Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The U.K. is doubling down on nuclear power with a promise from the country's Prime Minister Keir Starmer to "slash red tape" to accelerate the rollout of more nuclear projects.
The promise to fast-track the development of nuclear power - in particular small modular reactor (SMR) technology - was welcomed by the industry but questioned by the environmental lobby. The government said it is "tearing up outdated regulations, prioritising growth, and saying 'no' to what the government referred to as 'NIMBYs'" (people who adopt a "Not-in-My-Backyard" stance to projects). The move follows recent changes to planning laws, the abolition of the three-strike rule for judicial reviews on infrastructure projects, and the application of common sense to environmental rules.
"This country hasn't built a nuclear power station in decades. We've been let down, and left behind," Starmer admitted. "Our energy security has been hostage to [Russia's] Putin for too long, with British prices skyrocketing at his whims. I'm putting an end to it - changing the rules to back the builders of this nation, and saying no to the blockers who have strangled our chances of cheaper energy, growth and jobs for far too long. My government was elected to deliver change. I'll take the radical decisions needed to wrestle Britain from its status quo slumber, to turbocharge our plan for change."
He referred to the U.K.'s former position as a pioneer in nuclear reactor development but pointed out that it has lagged behind in recent decades. The government said the country has "been suffocated by regulations, and this saw investment collapse." The last nuclear power station was built in 1995, and only the Hinkley Point C is under construction after years of delays due to excessive regulations, including the developer having to produce "a 30,000-page environmental assessment to get planning permission." While the U.K. has struggled, China is constructing 29 reactors and the EU has 12 in the planning stages, according to the government. "These regions are gaining a significant advantage in harnessing new technologies, creating jobs, and delivering independent energy. Investors are eager to build reliable, cost-effective nuclear power to support critical modern infrastructure, such as AI data centres, but have been held back by red tape." Industrial Info is tracking 27 nuclear power-related projects in the U.K. worth US$86 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.
The government's proposed reforms:
The government's aggressive stance for supporting new nuclear projects was welcomed by French energy major Electricité de France (EDF) (Paris, France), which is currently building the Hinkley Point C project. Simone Rossi, chief executive officer of EDF in the U.K., said: "As a major operator, investor and developer, EDF welcomes the proposals designed to speed up new nuclear projects in the U.K. and unlock economic growth. Nuclear is essential to a secure, low carbon energy system and is the ideal partner to renewables. There is a great opportunity to build new infrastructure across England and Wales, to replace aging stations and take advantage of available skills, existing grid connections and supportive communities. The opportunity will only be fully realised with the necessary reforms to planning and regulation, alongside continuing to build on the critical work at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C to further develop skills and supply chains."
Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, added: "This is the Prime Minister's strongest signal yet that new nuclear is critical to the growth and clean power mission. A more streamlined planning system will give certainty to investors, the supply chain and communities, and will enable us to get on with building new nuclear plants on more sites and at pace for a cleaner, more secure power system. We need to make Britain the best possible place to build new nuclear, both large-scale and SMRs, which means avoiding unnecessary stumbling blocks and ensuring regulations are proportionate to our urgent need for low carbon power, energy security and good jobs."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
The promise to fast-track the development of nuclear power - in particular small modular reactor (SMR) technology - was welcomed by the industry but questioned by the environmental lobby. The government said it is "tearing up outdated regulations, prioritising growth, and saying 'no' to what the government referred to as 'NIMBYs'" (people who adopt a "Not-in-My-Backyard" stance to projects). The move follows recent changes to planning laws, the abolition of the three-strike rule for judicial reviews on infrastructure projects, and the application of common sense to environmental rules.
"This country hasn't built a nuclear power station in decades. We've been let down, and left behind," Starmer admitted. "Our energy security has been hostage to [Russia's] Putin for too long, with British prices skyrocketing at his whims. I'm putting an end to it - changing the rules to back the builders of this nation, and saying no to the blockers who have strangled our chances of cheaper energy, growth and jobs for far too long. My government was elected to deliver change. I'll take the radical decisions needed to wrestle Britain from its status quo slumber, to turbocharge our plan for change."
He referred to the U.K.'s former position as a pioneer in nuclear reactor development but pointed out that it has lagged behind in recent decades. The government said the country has "been suffocated by regulations, and this saw investment collapse." The last nuclear power station was built in 1995, and only the Hinkley Point C is under construction after years of delays due to excessive regulations, including the developer having to produce "a 30,000-page environmental assessment to get planning permission." While the U.K. has struggled, China is constructing 29 reactors and the EU has 12 in the planning stages, according to the government. "These regions are gaining a significant advantage in harnessing new technologies, creating jobs, and delivering independent energy. Investors are eager to build reliable, cost-effective nuclear power to support critical modern infrastructure, such as AI data centres, but have been held back by red tape." Industrial Info is tracking 27 nuclear power-related projects in the U.K. worth US$86 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.
The government's proposed reforms:
- Incorporating mini-nuclear power stations in planning rules: Firms can now build them in areas that need them.
- Scrapping the set list of eight sites: Nuclear sites can now be developed anywhere across England and Wales.
- Removing the expiry date on nuclear planning rules: Projects will no longer be timed out, allowing long-term industry planning.
- Establishing a nuclear regulatory taskforce: This taskforce will spearhead regulatory improvements and report directly to the prime minister.
The government's aggressive stance for supporting new nuclear projects was welcomed by French energy major Electricité de France (EDF) (Paris, France), which is currently building the Hinkley Point C project. Simone Rossi, chief executive officer of EDF in the U.K., said: "As a major operator, investor and developer, EDF welcomes the proposals designed to speed up new nuclear projects in the U.K. and unlock economic growth. Nuclear is essential to a secure, low carbon energy system and is the ideal partner to renewables. There is a great opportunity to build new infrastructure across England and Wales, to replace aging stations and take advantage of available skills, existing grid connections and supportive communities. The opportunity will only be fully realised with the necessary reforms to planning and regulation, alongside continuing to build on the critical work at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C to further develop skills and supply chains."
Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, added: "This is the Prime Minister's strongest signal yet that new nuclear is critical to the growth and clean power mission. A more streamlined planning system will give certainty to investors, the supply chain and communities, and will enable us to get on with building new nuclear plants on more sites and at pace for a cleaner, more secure power system. We need to make Britain the best possible place to build new nuclear, both large-scale and SMRs, which means avoiding unnecessary stumbling blocks and ensuring regulations are proportionate to our urgent need for low carbon power, energy security and good jobs."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
