Hidden Costs: The Forgotten Legacy of Nuclear Power in the UK

The financial and ecological impact of Britain's nuclear reactors, a costly legacy to be dismantled.

Share:

Nucléaire: Un Héritage Coûteux

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The British nuclear industry, once a symbol of progress and innovation, now faces a colossal challenge: decommissioning its facilities. This process, which is not only costly but also protracted, raises crucial questions about the economic and environmental viability of nuclear power.

Cost Comparison: Nuclear vs Renewable Energy

The UK’s nuclear program, initiated between 1957 and 1995, led to the construction of 14 reactors, now shut down, and 9 still in operation. Designed mainly around two models – the Magnox and the AGR – these reactors were initially intended for both electricity production and, in some cases, the manufacture of weapons-grade plutonium. However, the profitability of these reactors has been called into question, especially in comparison with more economical and environmentally-friendly alternatives such as wind and solar power.
The Magnox reactors, of medium capacity (350MW) and oriented towards plutonium production, generated expensive electricity. The AGR model, subsequently designed for larger capacities (around 1.2GW), aimed for greater thermal efficiency, but with production costs that were still high.

The Future of Energy in the UK: Rethinking Nuclear Strategy

The UK government’s recent decision to support the construction of two new EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C, despite their unproven design, considerable delay and a budget 50% higher than originally forecast, is raising concerns. These reactors, while promising in terms of capacity (3.2GW cumulative), satisfy only one of the conditions necessary for the success of a modern nuclear program.

High Costs of Nuclear Decommissioning: A Burden for the Future

Furthermore, the cost of dismantling the 23 existing reactors and the two reactors under construction at Hinkley Point C is surprisingly high. According to the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the cost would be around €149 billion by the end of 2022. Stephen Thomas, Professor of Energy Policy at the University of Greenwich, even estimates that costs could reach €260 billion, based on current cost trends.

The Reality of Nuclear Costs Compared to Renewable Alternatives

This situation highlights the real, often underestimated, cost of nuclear power. While the industry often claims that nuclear power is an economic option, these figures show otherwise. What’s more, a comparison with renewable energies such as offshore wind and solar power reveals an even greater disparity. For example, decommissioning costs for a wind or solar farm on a GW scale are much lower, in the tens of millions of euros, compared with billions for nuclear power.
It is therefore crucial to reconsider the place of nuclear power in the UK’s energy strategy, especially at a time when more affordable and environmentally-friendly alternatives are available. The transition to more sustainable and cost-effective renewable energy sources is becoming a key priority for the UK’s and the world’s energy future.

Dismantling the UK’s nuclear fleet reveals the hidden costs and environmental challenges of nuclear power. As the world turns to more sustainable energy solutions, the UK needs to rethink its energy strategy, focusing on more economical and environmentally friendly alternatives such as wind and solar power.

A nationwide debate on radioactive waste strategy begins on October 13 for four months. It will accompany the preparation of the next five-year roadmap regulating storage, treatment and funding policies through 2031.
Holtec International has ended its planned interim nuclear storage facility in New Mexico, citing ongoing legal hurdles and political deadlock over spent fuel management.
An international audit led by the International Atomic Energy Agency confirms that Spain has fully addressed the recommendations made in 2018 regarding its nuclear waste management programme.
EDF anticipates a 35 MW decrease in output for the Flamanville EPR between 2026 and 2031, citing a degraded performance level with no official technical explanation to date.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd has pushed the Bharat Small Reactors proposal deadline to 31 March 2026, aiming to expand private sector engagement in the captive nuclear energy project.
The Philippine government grants contractual advantages and priority dispatch to its first nuclear project, laying the groundwork for sustained sector development in the coming decades.
The merger between Terra Innovatum and GSR III Acquisition Corp. includes $130mn in proceeds aimed at supporting the industrial development of its SOLO™ micro-nuclear reactor.
US nuclear technology firm NANO Nuclear Energy has secured $400mn through an oversubscribed private placement, raising its cash position to approximately $600mn to accelerate development of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactors.
Global Nuclear Fuel, a GE Vernova-led alliance with Hitachi, plans the first use of its GNF4 boiling water reactor fuel in 2026, with full-scale production expected by 2030.
Arkansas has appointed Excel Services to analyse the economic, technological and logistical outlook of a new nuclear programme, with results expected within ten months.
Operator Belgoprocess has received authorisation to build a new facility to store waste generated from the ongoing decommissioning of Belgium’s nuclear reactors.
The British government has launched a consultation on the regulatory justification request for Rolls-Royce’s modular reactor, a decisive step towards its approval in the country’s nuclear market.
GVH and Samsung C&T join forces to accelerate international deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors, with a strong focus on Sweden and the consolidation of the nuclear supply chain.
The Swedish government aims to establish a right to compensation for operators if a political reversal leads to the early shutdown of nuclear plants, in a move to reduce investment risks.
Duke Energy adds a large nuclear reactor project to its 2025 plan for the Carolinas, anticipating electricity demand more than twice previous forecasts.
EDF has selected Arabelle Solutions to supply two complete turbine islands for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant, strengthening their industrial cooperation initiated at Hinkley Point C.
The Italian government has approved a bill granting the executive authority to regulate the return of nuclear energy, in line with European carbon neutrality and energy security targets for 2050.
Framatome and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission have commissioned a specialised industrial line in Jeumont for the manufacturing of nuclear components used in French Navy vessels.
Italian company Terra Innovatum is advancing the commercialisation of its SOLO micro-reactor, with two new partnerships and $42.5mn in funding as part of a merger with a listed company.
The Nurlikum Mining joint venture enters a new industrial phase with the launch of the South Djengeldi project, targeting annual production of 500 tonnes of uranium over ten years in Uzbekistan.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.