Government launches roadmap for huge expansion of nuclear power by 2050

A roadmap that aims to increase nuclear power generation by four times the current amount and which will provide up to a quarter of the UK’s electricity demands by 2050 has been published by the UK government.

The policy paper, “Civil nuclear: roadmap to 2050” includes the aspiration to build another large nuclear power station along the lines of Hinkley Point C, and to deploy up to 24GW of nuclear power by 2050 that will help the UK to achieve Net Zero.

The Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero, Claire Coutinho MP, said of the plans:

“Not only does this Roadmap set a clear path for the growth of nuclear fission, including the production of domestic fuel and regular investment decisions in new projects, it also explains how we will develop the skills and supply chains required to support this rapidly growing industry.”

She added:

Transforming our energy mix to make us greener and more independent is a huge undertaking, but the UK is uniquely placed to succeed. Our decades of nuclear experience have provided a legacy of experienced workers and world-leading academic institutions, as well as expertise in the whole nuclear life cycle, from our fuel production at Westinghouse, to the decommissioning and radioactive waste management by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which works with partners including Japan and the United States.”

The roadmap’s pledges include:

• A Nuclear Skills Taskforce report to be published in the next 12 months;
• Consultations on alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects;
• A Final Investment Decision on Sizewell C before the end of this Parliament;
• Make progress on the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology selection process with a view towards a Final Investment Decision by 2029;
• A government response to the consultation on nuclear decommissioning and managing radioactive substances, including radioactive waste.

Responding to the news of the government’s new roadmap, Sue Ferns, Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary, said

“Commitment to long-term investment in new nuclear capacity is most welcome. We look forward to playing an active role in delivering this mission that is critical to meeting our net zero and energy security goals.”

HALEU

Earlier in January 2024, the government had also announced a £300m investment to enable the UK production of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), which is required for the next generation of nuclear reactors. The UK will become the only European country with a HALEU programme.