In order to respond to surging energy prices, the UK has proposed a new energy strategic plan that comprises of expanding the establishment of wind power generation, solar energy, and hydrogen energy, with another emphasis being the resurgence of nuclear energy that aims to elevate the installed capacity of the particular power to 24GW by 2050. Eight additional nuclear reactors are required for the target.
According to the new energy plan, the UK is now set on actuating nuclear energy development, and has even established a new institution named Great British Nuclear. The country aims to elevate its installed capacity from 7GW to 24GW by 2050, as well as increase the ratio of nuclear energy to 25%, with eight nuclear reactors that will be constructed first. The UK government has now approved on the operation of two advanced nuclear reactors that are Wylfa at Anglesey and Sizewall at Cumbria, and aims to approve one nuclear reactor each year prior to 2030.
The UK currently sits on 11GW of offshore wind power installations, and has now elevated its target from 40GW to 50GW. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) commented that each household in the country will be benefitted from the enhanced target. With that being said, the UK has not laid down any onshore wind power targets. Despite being one of the most affordable renewable energy, the UK government had stopped offering subsidization on onshore wind power since 2015, and proposed stricter development regulations, whereas developers are also receiving frequent complaints about wind turbines on the other hand. Offshore wind power plans are now on a declining trend.
The UK will also expand its hydrogen energy in the future by reaching 10GW in capacity by 2030, as well as accelerate plans in petroleum and natural gas, with new proposals commencing in autumn this year at the earliest. According to coverage, the government has now realized the importance of fuels on energy security, and that natural gas produced in the UK also has a lower carbon footprint compared to imports.
With that being said, some scholars believe that a reduction in expenditure is also essential alongside an expansion of financial resources, and they are shocked to learn that the government has yet to propose any policies that would elevate energy. These scholars feel that an increase of energy efficiency would effectively lower carbon emission, as well as mitigate the burden of electricity bills for households.
There are naturally opposing voices towards expansion of nuclear energy, such as the exorbitant cost of establishment and prolong construction period since it would take a long time from approval to groundbreaking and operating for nuclear power plants, where reduction in emission and energy cost would be impossible. However, Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, believes that this is an important step in attaining the climate target of the UK, which also introduces thousands of job opportunities at the same time.
(Cover photo source: Flickr/Jeanne Menjoulet CC BY 2.0)