The British government is planning to overhaul planning laws to make it harder for NIMBYs* to object to the construction of nuclear power stations.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering limiting the ability of local residents to object to the construction of nuclear plants in their locality, as Britain seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
Ministers are mulling the introduction of a new “net-zero duty” that would force environmental regulators to factor in the government’s desire to increase UK energy production and make it “harder for them to block nuclear projects”, the Daily Telegraph reported, quoting an unnamed source.
Reforms could also restrict local people from opposing nuclear plants near their homes, it added.
According to Energy UK, around 21% of Britain’s electricity supply is provided by nuclear power from 15 reactors but almost half of the UK’s current capacity is set to be retired by 2025; as the older nuclear plants are retired, new ones will be needed to replace them. Currently, the proposed sites for new nuclear stations are Bradwell (Essex); Hartlepool; Heysham (Lancashire); Hinkley Point (Somerset); Oldbury (South Gloucestershire); Sellafield (Cumbria); Sizewell( Suffolk); and Wylfa (Anglesey).
EDF Energy, owned by French company EDF, is working on plans to build four new European pressurised reactors.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Johnson’s energy security strategy has been delayed again until next week, amid reports that the Treasury attempted to block the building of more power stations because of concerns about the cost.
* NIMBY stands for 'not in my back yard'