UK Faces Rising Questions As Nuclear Power Development Becomes The World’s Most Expensive

The United Kingdom has been handed an uncomfortable title in a new government review, which concludes that the country has become the most expensive place in the world to build nuclear power plants. The report highlights how complex rules, overlapping agencies, and slow bureaucratic processes have contributed to rising costs and long delays. The findings arrive at a time when the government is relying heavily on nuclear energy to secure future power supplies and meet its climate commitments.

The review, commissioned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, suggests that unless the system is drastically reformed, the UK risks falling behind during a period when many other countries are renewing interest in nuclear technology.

A Sector Held Back By Layers Of Bureaucracy

According to the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, the biggest issue facing the UK’s nuclear industry is the sheer complexity of the current regulatory system. Different agencies oversee different pieces of the approval puzzle, creating confusion, duplication, and long waits. In many cases, companies must go through several rounds of approvals for the same issue because responsibilities are divided across multiple departments.

The report argues that this fragmented approach has created an atmosphere of cautious decision making that often goes far beyond what is necessary for safety. While nuclear energy does require careful oversight, the taskforce says the UK has added layers of rules that slow progress without a corresponding improvement in safety outcomes.

Instead of this complicated structure, the taskforce proposes a one stop shop model where all key decisions are streamlined through a single, coordinated process.

Billions Could Be Saved With A New Approach

One of the strongest claims in the report is that simplifying regulation could save the UK tens of billions of pounds. These savings would come from faster approvals, reduced duplication, and greater predictability for investors. Large scale projects such as nuclear reactors rely on long term investment plans, and uncertainty about timelines or costs can discourage private companies from participating.

A clearer and more coordinated regulatory environment would allow developers to plan more confidently. The report says this could reverse the decline in the sector and position the UK as a more competitive player in the global nuclear market.

New Nuclear Projects Increase The Urgency

Several major nuclear projects are already underway in the UK. Hinkley Point C, located in Somerset, is expected to begin operations in the early 2030s. Sizewell C, another large reactor project, is projected to follow later in the decade and has been promoted as capable of powering six million homes.

Alongside these full sized plants, the UK is also investing in small modular reactors. These smaller systems can be built more quickly and offer flexibility for regional grids. The challenge is ensuring that the regulatory system can handle approval for both traditional and newer models efficiently.

The taskforce emphasises that the current pace of development is not enough to meet the country’s long term energy needs.

Safety Rules Under Scrutiny

The review does not call for weaker safety standards, but it does argue that some UK policies are unnecessarily conservative compared with international norms. For example, rules on acceptable radiation exposure levels for workers are described as more restrictive than those used in many other countries.

The report suggests that these overly cautious policies lead to costly decisions that are not justified by the actual risks. It stresses that modern nuclear technology has evolved significantly and that safety procedures can be updated without reducing protections for workers or surrounding communities.

The taskforce argues that regulation should be evidence based and proportionate rather than driven by outdated assumptions.

A Global Shift Toward New Nuclear Energy

Around the world, interest in nuclear energy is rising again. Countries are looking for reliable, low carbon power sources that can supplement renewable energy. The report warns that the UK risks missing out on this global momentum if it does not adapt quickly.

Nuclear energy is described as essential to the UK’s future, providing consistent power that can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Without reforms, the country may struggle to build enough capacity to meet demand.

Calls For A Radical Reset

The chair of the taskforce, John Fingleton, argues that the solutions needed are bold and structural rather than minor adjustments. He emphasises that simplifying regulation does not mean compromising safety. Instead, he believes that a streamlined process will make it easier to build reactors safely and affordably.

By modernising the regulatory environment, the UK could unlock faster construction, more competitive investment, and a stronger position in the global energy transition.