How the UK is Making it Easier to Build Nuclear Power Plants

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are growing in popularity, ushering in a new age of nuclear power.

SMRs are a flexible and efficient solution for clean energy generation. 

These advanced nuclear fission reactors, typically producing up to 300MWe per unit, are designed to be compact, efficient and safer than traditional large-scale nuclear plants.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) says as projects, policies and investments in the nuclear energy space continue to increase, so does the desirability of SMRs.

Calling SMRs a “gamechanger for nuclear energy”, the IEA’s The Path to a New Era for Nuclear Energy report shares the major challenges standing in the way of current momentum and how to overcome them to usher in a new era.

And now the UK government is slashing red tape to allow more nuclear power building to be approved.

UK firing up nuclear power

The UK government, under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is reforming planning rules to facilitate the approval and construction of more nuclear power plants across England and Wales.

These reforms will allow for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to be built in the UK for the first time.

The government is removing the restriction that limited nuclear development to only eight sites, allowing for a wider range of potential locations.

As a result of this move, a Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce is being established to improve regulations and help more companies build nuclear facilities in the UK.

Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF in the UK, says: “As a major operator, investor and developer, EDF welcomes the proposals designed to speed up new nuclear projects in the UK 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.”

Microsoft UK’s CEO Darren Hardman adds: “We welcome the government’s plans to accelerate the building of safe, modern nuclear as part of the energy mix. 

“Economic growth will require increased energy supply for the UK, but we must not lose sight of our ambitions for a fully decarbonised grid.”

Why is the UK making this move?

The government is aiming to streamline the approval process for new reactor designs and align UK regulations more closely with international partners.

The planning framework is being updated to include new nuclear technologies like SMRs, providing flexibility to co-locate them with energy-intensive industrial sites.

Sir Keir says: “This country hasn’t built a nuclear power station in decades. We've been let down and left behind.

“Our energy security has been hostage to 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.”

As highlighted by the PM, enhancing energy security, creating jobs and transitioning to cleaner energy sources are all benefits hoping to come following the reforms — as well as encouraging investment in the nuclear sector and speed up the overall timelines for nuclear projects.

But it’s not just the energy sector this move will benefit.

Small and advanced modular reactors will provide flexibility to co-locate them with energy intensive industrial sites like AI data centres.

Manufacturing and healthcare sectors are also set to benefit.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says: “Build, build, build — that is what Britain’s clean energy mission is all about.

“The British people have been left vulnerable to global energy markets for too long — and the only way out is to build our way to a new era of clean electricity.

“Nuclear power creates thousands of skilled jobs. That is what this government will deliver.”

Reactions to UK nuclear reform

The UK government’s move has been met with a tidal wave of support.

Simon Bowen, Chair of Great British Nuclear, says: “Nuclear energy is a powerful tool for growing the UK’s economy. 

“By expanding the range of sites where safe, secure, reliable and clean nuclear energy plants can be built, there is huge potential to positively transform areas facing economic uncertainty.

“Today’s announcement also signals exciting opportunities to co-locate nuclear energy generation on data centre sites and to decarbonise industrial processes.

“Nuclear is one of the safest and cleanest forms of energy generation. The new independent nuclear regulation taskforce will help unlock growth and investment by providing clarity and certainty while ensuring regulations are fit for purpose.”

Tom Greatrex, CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association, adds: “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.”

Cathal O’Rourke, Group CEO of Laing O’Rourke, continues: “This announcement is a significant step forward for the UK’s nuclear industry. 

“The clarity provided by these new planning rules, the focus on streamlining the regulatory process and the emphasis on standardising reactor designs is precisely the sort of clear, unequivocal direction the industry needs.

“Having played a central role in delivering nuclear capacity at Hinkley Point C, we understand the complexities of these projects firsthand and these new measures, particularly around regulatory reform and streamlined planning, will be invaluable in ensuring future projects, like Sizewell C, can be delivered more efficiently and cost-effectively.

“This clear signal from government will unlock investment, create jobs nationwide for shared prosperity, including an ability to plan for long-term investment in apprenticeships, and ensure the UK can benefit from clean, locally supplied nuclear power for generations to come.”

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