UK could massively increase nuclear capacity by 2050
The UK could massively increase its nuclear capacity by 2050 – with new plants having much greater capacity, it is understood.
The business secretary suggested that six or seven new sites could be in operation at this stage, with all but one of the existing UK factories set to be decommissioned by 2030.
The PA news agency understands that – although the number of stations is likely to remain similar to today’s – the plan is for each new site to be much more powerful than those it will replace, which will significantly increase capacity from the United Kingdom.
The Sunday Telegraph has reported that Boris Johnson is preparing to announce plans to extend the government’s commitment to moving forward with new large-scale nuclear power stations this decade.
The newspaper said the plan was to support one by 2024, but the new ambition is believed to be to support the construction of two by 2030.
The move to increase nuclear power generation would be part of a major local energy expansion in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.
It comes as the government’s energy security strategy is due to be unveiled on Thursday.
Asked about the scale of his nuclear ambitions, Mr Kwarteng told the Sunday Telegraph: “There is a realization within government that we could do more on nuclear.
“With the energy, you think maybe 30, even 40 years [ahead]. If we fast forward to 2050, there is a world where we have six or seven sites in the UK. It won’t happen in the next two years, but it’s definitely something we can aspire to.
“The Prime Minister said that in terms of the power generation mix, we could see maybe a quarter of that be nuclear. I would say 15 to 25%. But obviously in the first three years you don’t you’re not suddenly going to have six new nuclear power plants in three years. It’s physically impossible to do that.