ISTANBUL

A government-commissioned review has concluded that the UK has become the world’s most expensive country in which to build nuclear power plants, urging sweeping reforms to streamline regulation and reduce project costs.

The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, established by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said in a report published Sunday that the current system is burdened by “overly complex” and fragmented rules, causing delays and driving up expenses. The body called for creating a single authority to coordinate nuclear decision-making and a “radical reset” of existing procedures.

Simplifying regulatory processes and aligning the UK’s risk standards with international norms could save “tens of billions of pounds” while revitalizing a sector that has been in decline, the report said.

Britain is moving ahead with a new generation of nuclear projects to secure long-term energy supplies and meet its net-zero commitments.

The Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset is expected to begin operations in the early 2030s, followed later in the decade by the Sizewell C project. The government is also backing small modular reactors as a faster, more flexible alternative to large-scale facilities.

Taskforce chair John Fingleton said the recommendations aim to maintain strong safety standards while enabling projects to be delivered more quickly and affordably. He cautioned that the UK risks falling behind other countries taking part in what he called a global “nuclear renaissance.”

"Our solutions are radical, but necessary. By simplifying regulation, we can maintain or enhance safety standards while finally delivering nuclear capacity safely, quickly, and affordably," he said.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband welcomed the findings, saying the government is committed to delivering a “new golden age of nuclear” as part of efforts to strengthen energy security.

"A crucial part of that is delivering the reforms we need to drive forward new nuclear in a safe, affordable way," he said.

The report comes amid renewed global interest in nuclear energy. France plans to build at least six new reactors, China has nearly 30 under development, and Japan has revived its program after a decade-long pause. The UK, along with 30 other nations, has pledged to triple its nuclear capacity by 2050.

Nuclear power provided roughly 15% of the UK’s electricity in 2024, but most existing reactors are due to close by 2030, adding pressure on the government to speed up new construction.