UK to Build Up to 7 Nuclear Reactors by 2050 to Reduce Russian Dependence and Achieve Energy Independence

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The UK government has decided to build up to seven nuclear power plants by 2050.

On the 2nd (local time), according to The Telegraph, Kwasi Kwarteng, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Energy, stated in an interview with The Telegraph that ministers will establish a development agency called "Great Britain Nuclear" to gather private companies to operate nuclear power plants. He said that by 2050, the UK will have 6 to 7 new nuclear power plants.

The Telegraph viewed this nuclear power plant construction plan as a response to the increased need for energy self-sufficiency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce an expanded plan soon to build a large nuclear power plant by 2024. Although Johnson had conflicts with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, they met on the 30th of last month and agreed to build new nuclear power plants instead of aging ones.

The energy security strategy, which Prime Minister Johnson is scheduled to unveil on the 7th, is expected to include government support for the construction of at least two large nuclear power plants along with small modular reactors (SMRs) by 2030.