UK nuclear build lagging behind rivals, think-tank urges regulatory overhaul

A recent study by the think-tank Onward argues that Britain’s nuclear ambitions are at risk unless regulatory red tape is cut. It points out that Hinkley Point C will not be operational until 2030, a delay of five years, and that Sizewell C is projected to be completed only in 2039 after a nine-to-13-year construction period. The report highlights that the United Arab Emirates built four reactors in eight years and that recent Chinese reactors have averaged under six years, while France built similar plants in about five and a half years in the 1970s-80s. Onward recommends appointing a single person to oversee projects, tying leadership bonuses to on-time, on-budget delivery, and adding a fleet of small modular reactors. It warns that continued delays could push household energy bills higher and cause the UK to fall behind global competitors in clean energy.