Search
Great Britain
GREAT BRITAIN
| First Nuclear Power Plant Opened: | The first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1956 (It was the first in the world to provide electricity commercially. |
| Number and Types of Nuclear Power Plants: | There are currently 23 reactors operating in Great Britain. |
| Percentage of National Energy From Nuclear Power: | Nuclear power constitutes one-fifth of Great Britain's energy supply. |
| Future Nuclear Power Plans: | The future of nuclear power in Britain is uncertain. In 2001, the Performance and Innovation Unit was commissioned to review Great Britain's energy policy. Upon its review in 2002, the PIU suggested that the UK energy policy should look to expanding the role of renewables, as well as keeping the nuclear option open. Shortly thereafter, the Government issued its Energy White Paper, which declared that "while nuclear is currently an important source of carbon-free electricity, the current economics of nuclear power make it an unattractive option for new generating capacity, and there are also important issues for nuclear waste to be resolved." Nevertheless, the British Government has yet to rule out the construction of new nuclear power plants as a means to aid in the country's acquisition of energy and its ambitious proposals to reduce carbon emissions. |
ANALYSIS / ISSUES
As the majority of Britain's aging reactors are scheduled to be decommissioned in 2010, Britain, prompted by global warming concerns and demands to secure future energy supplies, is currently reevaluating the practicality of nuclear power . Despite the growing support for nuclear power, critics like The New Economics Foundation declare that nuclear power is an uneconomical and inefficient solution to climate change and endangers the public by increasing risks for terrorism . Conversely, The Association of Electricity Producers, Britain's largest energy supplier group, has recently endorsed the proposition of a new fleet of reactors, citing its benefits in terms of supply security and the environment . Regardless, it is certain that before any decision is made regarding the resurgence of nuclear power in Britain there must first be a consensus born out of intensive public consultations .
Nuclear Power Reactors Operating in Britain
| Reactors | Type | Net Capacity (each) in MWe | Start Operation |
| Dungeness A 1 & 2 | Magnox | 225 | 1965 |
| Oldbury 1 & 2 | Magnox | 217 | 1968 |
| Sizewell A 1 & 2 | Magnox | 210 | 1966 |
| Wylfa 1 & 2 | Magnox | 490 | 1971-1972 |
| Dungeness B 1 & 2 | AGR | 555 | 1985-1986 |
| Hartlepool 1 & 2 | AGR | 605 | 1984-1985 |
| Heysham 1 & 2 | AGR | 575 | 1985-1986 |
| Heysham 3 & 4 | AGR | 625 | 1988-1989 |
| Hinkley Point B 1 & 2 | AGR | 610 | 1976-1978 |
| Hunterston B 1 & 2 | AGR | 595 | 1976-1977 |
| Torness 1 & 2 | AGR | 625 | 1988-1989 |
| Sizewell B | PWR | 1188 | 1995 |
| Total : 23 | 11, 852 |