UK Planning to Build Eight new Nuclear Reactors

Britain is planning to build eight new reactors and expand wind power production to reduce reliance on oil and natural gas from Russia and other foreign suppliers after the invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans on Thursday as part of a new energy security strategy that will also accelerate the development of solar and hydrogen projects. By 2050, the government wants to almost triple its nuclear capacity to 24GW.

The prime minister, Boris Johnson has said, “We are setting out bold plans to scale up and accelerate affordable, clean and secure energy made in Britain, for Britain from new nuclear to offshore wind, in the decade ahead.”

He further said that this will reduce Britain’s dependence on power sources exposed to violate international prices it cannot control.

This strategy follows the rise in oil and gas prices following the invasion of Ukraine, amid concerns that energy supplies from Russia could be cut. Soaring energy prices are fueling the UK's cost of living crisis, with household gas and electricity prices rising 54% this month.