What percent of global primary energy will come from nuclear fission or fusion power in the following years?
MetaculusFEB 8
UK: Starmer Unveils Nuclear Power Expansion With Planning Reforms
Above: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets staff at the new decontamination and decommissioning lab during a visit to Springfields (Preston Lab), National Nuclear Laboratory facility on Feb. 6, 2025 in Preston, England. Image copyright: Oli Scarff - WPA Pool/Getty Images via Getty Images
The Facts
The UK government announced reforms to nuclear power planning rules on Friday, removing its previous eight-site restriction and allowing small modular reactors to be built for the first time, aiming to streamline the approval process that currently takes up to 20 years.
The reforms include setting up a specialist taskforce reporting directly to the prime minister, removing expiry dates on nuclear planning rules, and establishing new regulatory frameworks to help more companies build nuclear facilities.
The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce is intended to accelerate approval of reactor designs and improve regulations, with the government aiming to deploy up to 24 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2050, representing about 25% of projected electricity demand.
The Spin
Narrative A
The announcement marks a critical step towards securing energy independence and meeting climate goals. By accelerating nuclear power, the government is positioning the country for long-term energy security, lower bills, and job creation. With new planning rules and a focus on cutting red tape, Britain can now harness its full potential, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and foreign energy sources while driving clean, homegrown power for future generations.
Narrative B
Nuclear power is not the solution. It is incredibly costly, as seen with the Hinkley C project, which is years behind schedule and billions over budget. Meanwhile, nuclear energy creates long-lasting radioactive waste, posing significant environmental and health risks. Instead of investing in risky nuclear projects, the UK should focus on clean, affordable alternatives like wind, solar, and improved energy storage, which are quicker to deploy and truly sustainable for our future.
Metaculus Prediction
Public Figures
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