Keir Starmer has announced the UK will make its first major investment in nuclear power since the 1980s, dedicating nearly £18 billion to Sizewell C in Suffolk. This venture includes a £14.2 billion commitment from the government, supporting the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. The plan also involves the construction of small modular reactors. Despite the criticisms surrounding high costs and safety concerns, the rising demand for reliable low-carbon energy from nuclear is seen as essential to prevent electricity shortages and blackouts in the future.
The decision to invest almost 18bn of taxpayer money into the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk was welcomed as the beginning of a golden age of nuclear investment.
Nuclear power is far more expensive than most renewable energy technologies but provides a steady and reliable source of low-carbon power without the need for battery backups.
There are persistent concerns over the safety of nuclear reactors and the disposal of nuclear waste, creating a complex backdrop to the commitment to new nuclear projects.
Megawatt for megawatt, the guaranteed electricity price of Hinkley Point C, initially 92/MWh, will reduce to 89.50/MWh with the go-ahead for Sizewell C.
Collection
[
|
...
]