Britain will lead the world in new nuclear golden age

Telegraph

6 hours ago

Whatever your political stripe, it is clear that energy security is a crucial responsibility for any government. Today's announcements by this Government – that we are embarking on the biggest expansion of new nuclear power in over half a century – speak to that central imperative.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the cost of living crisis that followed for both families and businesses, showed how vulnerable we are as a country because of our dependence on fossil fuels.
This challenge of energy security and the demands of the climate crisis mean that it is in our interests to shift as fast as possible to clean, homegrown power.
The demand for that power is expected to at least double by 2050. That's why we need all the clean, homegrown sources that we can get to meet the demands we face. New nuclear is a crucial source of firm, baseload power.
Sixteen years ago, when I was the Energy Secretary, I identified eight potential sites for new nuclear, one of which was Sizewell. When we left government in 2010, I assumed that one of my coalition or Conservative successors would get the project over the line – but they didn't.
It has taken until 2025 for a government to allocate the funding required to make the project happen. Today, we are setting aside £14.2bn to fund Sizewell C – so we can power the equivalent of around 6m homes with clean, homegrown energy that we control.
Sizewell C will support around 10,000 jobs at peak construction and support thousands more nationwide, as well as creating 1,500 apprenticeships. The company has already signed £330m in contracts with local companies and will boost supply chains across the UK with 70pc of contracts predicted to go to 3,500 British suppliers.
Good industrial jobs from Sheffield to Derby, Scotland to South East England, paid at high wages.
To progress the plant, we are securing a funding model that fairly spreads upfront costs between industry, government, and consumers. We are also backing a new form of nuclear technology in the UK – small modular reactors (SMR). These offer a huge industrial and jobs opportunity for our country and could help fuel heavy industry and data centres across Britain.
We will announce the outcome of the small modular reactor competition imminently – helping us to get ahead in the global race to lead in this new technology, with an ambition to deploy one of the first SMR fleets in Europe. The Government is also looking to provide a pathway for advanced nuclear technologies to be deployed in the UK.
Taken together this represents a new golden age for nuclear – the biggest building programme in a generation. Once SMRs and Sizewell C come online this, along with Hinkley Point C, will deliver more new nuclear to grid than over the previous half century combined.
As we drive forward on nuclear, we are determined to lead the world in the technologies of the future. We are ramping up spending on nuclear fusion research – with over £2.5bn of funding this parliament, including helping progress a fusion power station on the site of a former coal-fired power plant at West Burton.
We are choosing to go big on nuclear, as part of our Plan for Change to invest in Britain's future, rather than accept the decline of recent times. This is what the Chancellor's Spending Review is all about: renewing the country with investments and projects that will produce jobs, prosperity and put more money in working people's pockets.
For too long, Britain has not made the investments we need in energy and other critical national infrastructure. That is where this Government, led by the decisions of the Prime Minister and Chancellor, is different. We are choosing to double down on Britain's strengths and invest in the future – boosting our energy security, creating good jobs, unlocking new export opportunities and driving growth.
There is another crucial thing this drive for new nuclear does – it supports our energy security and protects our home for the future by shifting away from reliance on fossil fuels. I believe it is a cherished value of many Telegraph readers to protect the things we treasure from generation to generation.
Our countryside and way of life face a grave threat from the climate crisis. Clean power is about investing in future generations, with jobs and opportunities. It also gives us the chance to leave a safer, more prosperous legacy for future generations.
That's why our drive to new nuclear is the right thing for today and for the future of our country.