The United Kingdom intends to get 25% of its electricity from nuclear power by 2050. In October 2021, the country unveiled a new funding model for nuclear power plants. Under the new RAB (Regulated Asset Base) model, consumers will contribute to the cost of new nuclear power projects during the construction phase.
In 2020, the United Kingdom generated about 16% of its power from nuclear power plants. There are 13 nuclear reactors in operation for a total capacity of 8.1 GW in the country. Dungeness B (1,040 MW) was shut down in June 2021, and Hunterston B (two gas-cooled reactors, 960 MW) and Hinkley Point B (two gas-cooled reactors, 945 MW) are due to be decommissioned in 2022. In December 2021, EDF Energy brought forward the closure date for two of its nuclear power plants, Heysham 2 (1,190 MW) in Lancashire and Torness (1,230 MW) in East Lothian (United Kingdom) from 2030 to 2028. In addition, the group has confirmed that its Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nuclear power plants would stop generating power as of 31 March 2024.
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