Britain has been branded the ‘most expensive place in the world’ to develop nuclear energy – as experts demand Labour cut the red tape.
Independent investigators said overly complex regulation had led to a ‘relative decline’ in the country’s leadership position and higher energy costs for consumers.
The final report, produced by the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, followed an announcement last week that household energy bills are set to rise by 0.2 per cent from January 1 after Ofgem increased its next price cap.
Reforms to Britain’s nuclear strategy, estimated by the taskforce, would potentially save tens of billions from the current £150billion projected cost of decommissioning legacy nuclear activities.
The group said a ‘radical reset’ was needed, setting out 47 recommendations for the Government to speed up building new nuclear projects at a lower cost and on schedule.
One of the recommendations was to establish a ‘one-stop shop’ for decisions on nuclear power and to simplify regulation – to avoid overly bureaucratic and expensive processes while improving safety standards.
The taskforce also urged the Government to provide a ‘robust strategic direction’ for the civil and defence nuclear sectors; recommended that a Commission for Nuclear Regulation is established as a unified decision maker; and that the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator be merged into the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
The Chancellor is expected to respond to the report at the Budget this week, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The world’s largest land crane ‘Big Carl’ is used to position a 245-tonne domed roof on Hinkley Point C’s second reactor building at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station near Bridgwater
The independent taskforce said a ‘radical reset’ was needed, setting out 47 recommendations for the Government to speed up building new nuclear projects at a lower cost and on schedule
Taskforce chairman John Fingleton said: ‘This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The problems are systemic, rooted in unnecessary complexity and a mindset that favours process over outcome.
‘Our solutions are radical but necessary. By simplifying regulation, we can maintain or enhance safety standards while finally delivering nuclear capacity safely, quickly and affordably.’
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: ‘This Government is delivering a golden age of new nuclear as we drive for energy sovereignty and abundance.
‘A crucial part of that is delivering the reforms we need to drive forward new nuclear in a safe, affordable way.’
Earlier this month, the Government announced that the UK’s first ‘small modular reactor’ (SMR) nuclear power station will be built at Wylfa, on Anglesey/Ynys Mon in North Wales, by publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N).
The Energy Department said GBE-N will start activity on the site in 2026, with an initial project for three reactors, but the site could potentially hold up to eight of the mini power plants.
It is hoped the Wylfa reactors will start supplying power to the grid from the mid-2030s.
Officials also said there would be export opportunities for SMRs, and potential for new nuclear at the former site of Oldbury, in Gloucestershire, owned by GBE-N.
Britain’s existing nuclear power stations account for about 15 per cent of the electricity generated in 2024.
Germany has phased out its use of nuclear power, prioritising alternative renewables like hydrogen.
The development of nuclear energy remains divisive following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the 2011 Fukushima accident.
