Britain could build up to eight nuclear reactors under new plan

Britain could build up to eight new nuclear reactors under a new energy security strategy that also foresees floating offshore wind farms in the Irish and Celtic Seas. But opposition parties, environmental and business groups criticised the strategy because it includes no measures to help people save energy and insulate their homes.

British prime minister Boris Johnson said the strategy, which was delayed amid cabinet squabbles, would ensure that Britain had a secure energy supply into the future. And he promised to restore Britain's preeminence in the nuclear field.

“In the country that was the first to split the atom, the first truly to harness its power to light our homes and drive our factories, we will once again lead the way. Nuclear is coming home. So instead of a new reactor every decade we will have a new reactor every year,” he said.

“For years, governments have dodged the big decisions on energy, but not this one. We’ve got the ambition, we’ve got the plan and we are going to bring clean, affordable secure power to the people for generations to come.”

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Britain's nuclear expansion will take decades, partly because the country lacks the expertise to build new reactors and the only plant under construction, at Hinckley Point, is funded by Chinese investment. Anti-Chinese sentiment within the Conservative party means that French electricity provider EDF is the most likely partner for new plants but the company does not have the capacity to take on such projects in Britain.

Onshore wind farms

Opposition from Conservative MPs stopped the government from making it easier to win planning approval for onshore wind farms, leaving offshore wind as the only quickly available energy source to receive a boost under the strategy. Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng admitted that the plan would take years to have an impact and would not ease the cost of living crisis driven by soaring energy prices.

“The strategy is more of a medium-term three-, four-, five-year answer. I think it’s really important that we get an energy strategy that means we can have more security and independence in the years ahead,” he said.

“We want to have security of supply, we want to live in a world where we’re not dependent on what Russian policy is, but we have more control over energy sources here in Britain.”

The i newspaper reported that chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak vetoed a plan to double a £200 (€239) rebate on energy bills for poor households introduced last month. The chancellor is also reported to have blocked new subsidies for home insulation.