More nuclear reactors 'excellent news', says IEA Energy Analyst

Commenting on the Government's plans to make it easier to build nuclear power stations, Andy Mayer, COO and Energy Analyst at the free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

“It is excellent news that the government is taking steps to remove barriers to building new nuclear power. Britain needs affordable reliable low carbon generation, and nuclear power is the best option today.  

The Hinkley Point C impact assessment noted it takes 14-17 years to build that type of reactor in the UK. The best places in the world can do it in 5-6 years. Liberalising site selection is a start to bridging that gap, but other reforms need to follow. 

A regulatory task force is good, but runs the risk of trying to please multiple interest groups, particularly environmental and nimby groups, rather than slashing red tape. It could be captured by a specific nuclear technology group, rather than encourage competition.

They could speed this up by creating ‘freeport'-style regulatory sandboxes on the new sites that recognise the standards of safe and fast builders like South Korea, then letting the best in the world compete to provide us with clean power.”