How Boris Johnson is pinning his hopes on more nuclear energy

PM ‘makes clear’ strategy vision for energy source in meeting with industry leaders, writes Zoe Tidman

Boris Johnson met with nuclear industry leaders on Monday (AFP/Getty)

As the war in Ukraine escalates, so does Britain’s push for energy that does not come from Russia.

From renewable energy to North Sea fossil fuels, the government is looking to boost its domestic energy output across the board.

Nuclear power has also entered the mix. And now, Boris Johnson wants it to account for a quarter of our electricity.

The prime minister is reported to have made clear his aim during a meeting with nuclear industry leaders, which Downing Street said involved a discussion on how to “improve domestic energy security” and how to “rapidly accelerate nuclear projects” in the country.

Kwasi Kwarteng, the business and energy secretary, tweeted after the meeting: “Nuclear power is clean, reliable and safe – and a key part of our plan for energy independence.”

It is no wonder the prime minister was asking for views on how to “accelerate rapid progress” on getting new nuclear capacity. Official figures show nuclear power made up 16 per cent of our electricity in 2020 and Britain is planning on retiring nearly half of its current nuclear capacity, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Only one new nuclear power station is currently being built in the UK, at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

Other nuclear projects have also been proposed but are yet to get under way, including at Sizewell C in Suffolk. But this plant has hit bumps in the road over securing investment, with the UK government committing millions in the hope of luring more private funding for it.

So there is still a way to go –and nuclear power plants to build –before this power source can be ramped up in the way desired.

No 10 suggested this could include “scaling up investment” and “removing barriers facing development”, although it did not expand on what that could mean.

A pivot to nuclear has been suggested further afield as an alternative to Russian fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency said earlier this month that maximising nuclear power can help to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian supplies.