The British Energy Security Strategy, published in April 2022, sets an ambition to increase deployment of civil nuclear power to up to 24GW by 20501. The strategy states this is three times current capacity and up to 25 per cent of projected electricity demand1. It also commits to setting up the Great British Nuclear Vehicle this year1.
The nuclear ambition sits alongside a £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund, launched in April, to progress new nuclear1. The strategy records that the government has committed up to £1.7 billion of direct funding to enable one nuclear project to reach a final investment decision this Parliament, has invested £100 million into Sizewell C, and has invested £210 million to develop Small Modular Reactors with Rolls Royce1.
"Increasing our plans for deployment of civil nuclear to up to 24GW by 2050"
The strategy frames nuclear as part of a wider push for power that can be relied on when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing, and describes the intent to "reverse decades of myopia" by investing in nuclear power1. It also sets out related ambitions: up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, including up to 5GW of floating wind, and up to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, subject to affordability and value for money1.
On household costs, the strategy confirms a £200 reduction in energy bills from October for all households in Great Britain through the Energy Bills Support Scheme, and an increase in the Warm Home Discount to £150 in October, extended to assist three million people1. It also confirms zero-rating VAT for the next five years on the installation of energy saving materials, including insulation and low carbon heating, and a 2035 date by which the government intends to phase out the sale of new and replacement gas boilers1.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Civil nuclear ambition by 2050 | up to 24GW |
| Offshore wind by 2030 | up to 50GW |
| Low carbon hydrogen by 2030 | up to 10GW |
| Energy Bills Support Scheme | £200 reduction from October |
| Warm Home Discount | £150 from October |
Why it matters for households
Nuclear capacity is not something a household can install or control, but it bears on the firmness of the electricity supply that homes draw on. The strategy's stated aim is a system that can be relied on even when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing, which is the same quality of supply that underpins energy security and household independence. A larger nuclear fleet would sit alongside renewables and storage in meeting rising electricity demand from electric vehicles, heat pumps and data centres. For homes considering electrification, the pace of that build-out affects how much of the grid's underlying capacity is low carbon and firm, though the strategy gives no household-level figures.
What happens next
The strategy commits to setting up the Great British Nuclear Vehicle this year1. It also states that a blueprint for the whole system will be set out by the end of 2022 in the Holistic Network Design and Centralised Strategic Network Plan1. Further details on some measures will be announced in May1. The strategy does not give a date for a final investment decision on any specific new nuclear project beyond the commitment to enable one project to reach that stage this Parliament1.
Sources1 cited
- British Energy Security Strategy, data.parliament.uk