The Government is committed to ensuring 100 per cent of its energy comes from so-called clean sources by 2030 and nuclear is seen as an essential part of the strategy.
Josh MacAlister, the newly elected MP for Whitehaven and Workington and co-chair of the Labour Growth Group, said deadlines have already been missed on the rollout of key Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are planned to be operational from the early 2030s.
“Approving new nuclear projects is essential but this must also come with reform to the planning system, which has been holding projects up, putting off investment and leading to many potential projects falling through.”
The group are thought to see SMRs as a “potential success story that has been held back” by the UK’s planning laws and are eager to see progress on the project in the new year.
However, planning restrictions mean nuclear power plants can currently only be built on eight named sites.
During the Budget, it was quietly announced that the winners of the competition to build SMRs – with shortlisted companies including Rolls-Royce and GE Hitachi – would not be announced until spring, rather than late in 2024.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (right) meeting apprentices during a visit to Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset (Photo: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)Rolls-Royce is one of multiple firms that have become openly frustrated at British progress in recent months, with similar plans being run by the company in Czechia being supported far quicker than in the UK.
However, concerns remain as a number of projects lack final approval.
EDF set to extend life of UK nuclear plants as Government replacement plans falter
Read MoreHe said: “Whilst we have seen good progress at Hinkley Point C and extensions given to the four AGR [advanced-cool gas reactor]stations, this next period up to the Spending Review is one the most critical in our 70 year history as we await final decisions on Sizewell C and the Small Modular Reactor competition”
Successive governments have targeted sovereign wealth investment from the gulf to no avail, with Sir Keir Starmer flying out to the Emirates in December as part of a wider push.
One industry source said: “If you look at the UK’s track record on the projects, it’s chequered at best. If you’re a major foreign investor, do you want to risk delays, overspends or a change in the political situation that means things get undermined? The existing set up for private-public agreements on nuclear are already seen as risky, so it’s a tough ask.”
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