UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed nuclear power as part of the country’s transition to renewable energy. The government has committed nearly £18 billion to Sizewell C, its first significant stake in a new nuclear plant since the 1980s. This investment aims to help the UK meet growing electricity demand without fossil fuels and avoid blackouts.
The move follows plans for small modular reactors (SMR), which are expected to be built by Rolls-Royce by the early 2030s. Critics have raised concerns over the technology’s high costs and safety issues, but Starmer believes nuclear power is a necessary part of meeting climate targets.
The decision has been welcomed by Labour leader Ed Miliband, who sees it as the start of a “golden age” of nuclear investment. The government aims to use nuclear power to meet its net zero goals, despite concerns over the technology’s safety and disposal of nuclear waste.
The investment in Sizewell C is part of a broader push to develop new nuclear capacity, with £2.5 billion set aside for small modular reactors. While critics argue that nuclear power is too expensive and poses safety risks, Starmer believes it is a price worth paying to ensure the UK’s energy security and meet its climate commitments.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/10/whats-behind-keir-starmers-decision-to-back-nuclear-power