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| Wed, 20th Jul 2022 18:28:00 |
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How much nuclear power does the UK use and is it safe? |
The UK government has given the go-ahead for a new £20bn nuclear power plant.
After a lengthy public consultation, Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has awarded planning consent to French energy company EDF to build Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast.
The government wants to reduce the UK's reliance on international oil and gas by building as many as eight new nuclear reactors.
By 2050, it hopes nuclear could provide 25% of the UK's electricity needs.
Will the UK's energy strategy work?
What is nuclear power?
To create nuclear power, in non-military reactors, uranium atoms are bombarded by much smaller neutron particles.
This causes the atoms to break down and release huge amounts of energy as heat. The heat is then used to boil water, producing steam which drives turbines and generates electricity.
Unlike burning fossil fuels, this process doesn't produce greenhouse gas emissions, and requires minimal use of metals or other natural resources. But it does generate hazardous waste which must be stored for a very long time.
BBC Bitesize: How is nuclear power generated?
How much nuclear power does the UK use?
There are currently six plants that can supply about 20% of UK electricity demand, with 15% generated in 2020.
This amount has declined since the 1990s, as several plants - including Sizewell A - reached the end of their lives.
All but one of the existing reactors in operation are due to shut down before 2030.
As well as Sizewell C, the Hinkley Point C plant is already under construction in Somerset.
Together these will be capable of powering 12 million homes in the UK.
The government wants to deliver up to eight new reactors overall - with one being approved each year until 2030.
As well as larger nuclear power stations, the government also wants to use Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These work in the same way as conventional nuclear reactors, but on a smaller scale.
How much do nuclear plants cost?
The overall cost of nuclear power is comparable with other forms of energy, but nuclear plants are extremely expensive to build.
Hinkley C is already expected to be 30% over budget at £22-26bn.
The government hopes a new financial funding model could cut the cost of future nuclear projects, including Sizewell C.
Read original full article
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