Report Calls for 'Radical Reset' of UK Nuclear Regulation
An independent expert group has declared that the UK's nuclear ambitions are being hampered by overly complex and expensive regulation. The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, in its final report, stated that this bureaucratic red tape has contributed to a 'relative decline' in the country's global leadership in nuclear energy.
The taskforce argued that a fundamental overhaul is urgently needed to accelerate new projects and reduce their delivery costs. They emphasised that such changes would have a direct, positive impact on households, as simplified processes could lead to lower energy costs for consumers.
Potential Savings and Current Costs
This call for reform comes at a critical time for energy bills. Last week, it was announced that the Ofgem price cap will rise by 0.2% from 1st January. This increase factors in government policy and operating costs, including funding for the Sizewell C nuclear project, which is estimated to add around £1 per month to the average bill.
The potential benefits of regulatory reform extend far beyond new construction. The taskforce estimated that its proposed changes could save tens of billions of pounds from the current £150 billion projected cost of decommissioning the UK's legacy nuclear sites.
47 Recommendations for a Faster, Cheaper Nuclear Future
The group presented a comprehensive plan with 47 specific recommendations designed to help the UK build new nuclear power stations more quickly, cheaply, and on schedule. A central proposal is the creation of a 'one-stop shop' for nuclear decisions, which would streamline the approval process and cut through bureaucracy while maintaining or even improving safety standards.
Other key recommendations include:
- The government providing a 'robust strategic direction' for both civil and defence nuclear sectors.
- Establishing a Commission for Nuclear Regulation to act as a single, unified decision-making body.
- Merging the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator into the existing Office for Nuclear Regulation.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has indicated that the Chancellor is set to welcome the report's findings and will issue a formal response in the upcoming Budget.
A 'Once-in-a-Generation' Opportunity
Taskforce chairman John Fingleton described the situation as a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity'. He identified the core problems as systemic, rooted in 'unnecessary complexity and a mindset that favours process over outcome'.
'Our solutions are radical but necessary,' Fingleton stated. 'By simplifying regulation, we can maintain or enhance safety standards while finally delivering nuclear capacity safely, quickly and affordably.'
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband echoed the need for change, affirming the government's commitment to a 'golden age of new nuclear' to achieve energy sovereignty. 'A crucial part of that is delivering the reforms we need to drive forward new nuclear in a safe, affordable way,' he said.
This push for regulatory efficiency aligns with recent government announcements, including the confirmation that the UK's first small modular reactor (SMR) power station will be built at Wylfa on Anglesey. Publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) will begin work on the site in 2026, starting with a project for three reactors and the potential for up to eight, with power expected to reach the grid from the mid-2030s.
