UK Commits $19 Billion to First Major Nuclear Plant Since 1995

The UK government has announced a $19 billion investment in the construction of Sizewell C, the country's first major nuclear power plant in three decades.

The plant will be located in Suffolk, on England's eastern coast, and is expected to supply low-carbon electricity to power 6 million homes when it becomes operational in the 2030s. Officials say it will strengthen the UK's energy independence and reduce reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision marks a turning point after decades of delay on nuclear policy. "Having our own energy in this country that we control gives us security, gives us independence," he said. "Putin can't put his boot on our throat."

The last new nuclear plant to open in the UK was Sizewell B, commissioned in 1995.

In a parallel announcement, the government named Rolls-Royce as the preferred bidder to develop small modular reactors (SMRs)--compact next-generation nuclear units that could power up to 3 million homes and support high-demand infrastructure, including AI data centers.

Together, the large-scale Sizewell C project and the SMR initiative signal a major investment in low-carbon, resilient energy infrastructure, aiming to complement renewable sources in the long-term energy mix.

Source: apnews.com