A chinese energy company planning to build a nuclear power station in the uk refused to disclose security information to british authorities about another of its plants it has been revealed. Hinkley point c was granted final approval in 2016 for two reactors making it the first nuclear power plant under construction in the uk for 25 years. These six sites for new nuclear power are discussed in sections 3 1 6.
Construction work is gathering pace for the plant s expected opening in 2025. The bbc has been behind the scenes at the uk s new nuclear power plant in somerset hinkley point c. It is now expected to be completed eight years late in 2025 at a cost of 22.
But hinkley point c the uk s first new nuclear power plant since 1995 has been beset by delays and soaring costs. Backers of nuclear power insist britain needs to replace existing nuclear plants given the uk is committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and the country cannot rely on wind and solar power all. The cost of building the uk s first new nuclear power plant in a generation has risen by up to 2 9bn and the total bill could be more than 22bn.
Slated to provide 7 of the uk s electricity once operational the future of the planned 15bn moorside plant in cumbria is in serious doubt after majority shareholder toshiba failed to find a buyer for the project. New nuclear power plants in the uk stalled projects moorside nuclear power station. The previous scheme at moorside was halted when japanese multinational toshiba.
Plans for two nuclear power plants on the site of a previously abandoned project in cumbria have been submitted. On 27 may 2020 edf energy put in a development consent order application prior to the start of construction at the site. After this construction is expected to start around 2021 with an accelerated timeline due to the replication of the hinkley point c power plant on the site.
The uk has 15 operational nuclear reactors at seven locations 14 advanced gas cooled reactors agr and one pressurised water reactor pwr as well as nuclear reprocessing plants at sellafield and the tails management facility tmf operated by urenco in. Nuclear power in the united kingdom generates around 19 of the country s electricity as of 2020 projected to rise to a third by 2035.
