UK accelerates nuclear energy push with £65.6m investment and regulatory reforms
The UK Government has announced new measures to speed up nuclear development after an independent review highlighted delays in the industry. Changes include a shift to 'risk-based' regulation and a £65.6 million investment in nuclear research and training programmes.
The review found that the current regulatory system focused too much on paperwork rather than safety results. This led to unnecessary delays in nuclear projects. Ministers now plan to reform oversight by the end of 2027, aiming to cut costs and shorten timelines while keeping strict safety and environmental rules in place.
Over 500 doctoral students will receive specialised training through new PhD programmes at UK universities. The government is also funding seven nuclear research projects to tackle skills shortages and boost innovation.
Major nuclear developments are already underway. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C are progressing, while Wylfa in North Wales has been chosen as the site for three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors (SMRs). The long-term plan allows for up to eight reactors there. Key steps include selecting Wylfa as the preferred site in 2024, naming Rolls-Royce SMR as the partner in 2025, and appointing an Arup-led team in 2026 for concept design. Construction of the first unit is expected to begin in the late 2020s, with power reaching the grid by the mid-2030s.
The reforms aim to make nuclear regulation faster without compromising safety. With new funding, research, and workforce training, the government hopes to strengthen the UK's nuclear industry. Projects like Wylfa, Sizewell C, and Hinkley Point C will play a central role in this push for cleaner energy.
