A government analysis found that Britain now holds the title for the "most expensive place in the world" to develop nuclear power, according to the BBC.
What's happening?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ordered an analysis of the country's nuclear sector, and the findings point to excessive red tape as the main culprit behind ballooning expenses. The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce delivered its assessment, arguing that outdated rules have pushed costs far beyond what other nations pay.
The analysis pinpoints several problems: workers at power plants face tighter restrictions on radiation than people who work in hospitals or dental offices, and a disjointed approval process leads to decisions that don't match actual safety needs.
"Motorways wouldn't be very useful if we all drove at five miles an hour but that's sort of what we're doing in nuclear safety," said John Fingleton, who chairs the task force.
The country has nine working reactors today, though eight will reach the end of operations by 2030. New facilities at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C are moving forward, with smaller reactors also in development.
Why is nuclear power development important?
Britain signed a pledge with 30 other countries to multiply atomic energy production threefold by 2050, an effort to cut carbon pollution. These plants produce roughly one-seventh of the nation's power today.
Nuclear power produces large amounts of electricity without releasing carbon into the atmosphere, which helps countries meet their pollution reduction goals. These plants can run continuously, unlike solar panels and wind turbines that depend on weather conditions.
The technology faces concerns. Plants create radioactive waste that stays harmful for thousands of years, and infamous accidents like the ones that occurred in Fukushima and Chernobyl remind people of the safety risks.
Construction costs run into the billions. Some people worry about connections between civilian nuclear programs and weapons development.
Many countries are betting on nuclear power as part of their strategy to stop the planet from overheating. France has plans for a minimum of six new reactors, while China's construction pipeline includes close to 30 facilities. The U.S. brought its newest reactor online in 2024, ending a gap of more than three decades. Japan is bringing its program back after shutting down following Fukushima.
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