UK Launches New Nuclear Push to Boost Energy Security

The proposed reform follows a government review that found the UK’s nuclear regulatory system was overly complex and slowed investment.

A nuclear reactor being built at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in south-west England, on April 27, 2023. Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

The UK has moved to accelerate a major expansion of nuclear energy, unveiling plans to overhaul regulation and speed up project approvals.

The Labour government on May 13 proposed the Nuclear Regulation Bill, which it said would modernize an overly bureaucratic regulatory system that has slowed new nuclear development across the UK.