Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to build a new suite of nuclear power plants in the UK, alongside a revamping of the planning rules to prevent local interests from derailing nationally significant projects.
In particular, the rule changes are aimed at making it easier to build small modular reactors (SMR), which are easier to scale and more affordable than traditional nuclear power plants, albeit with a lower power output. The entirely factory-built facilities can be transported as modules and assembled on-site, radically reducing construction activity and making SMRs a commodifiable product.
In September, Great British Nuclear shortlisted Rolls-Royce SMR alongside entrants GE Hitachi, Holtec Britain and Westinghouse Electric Company to build the new plants. Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station is expected to produce around 470MWe of electricity.
Changes to planning regulations include the scrapping of “archaic” laws used by NIMBYs to block local infrastructure developments...