Nuclear production from the UK has hit a 42-year low, as production decreased to 37 terawatt-hours after two stations closed, dropping below 40 terawatt-hours for the first time since the early 1980s.
As reported by Bloomberg, the decrease in nuclear power could add to the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels, delaying the country’s net zero by 2050 target.
While the government is building offshore wind, other low alternative energy sources such as nuclear will be necessary when it’s not windy or sunny.
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The UK also aims to build 24 gigawatts of capacity by 2050 but experts warn that this target might also be missed due to costs, time of construction and delays.
Additionally, analysts found that developers would need to add 16 gigawatts in the next decade at a cost of more than £150 billion.
Aurora Energy Research senior associate Ashutosh Padelkar said: “With revenues materializing around a decade after the Final Investment Decision, this generally makes nuclear a very different investment case to banks compared to other low-carbon generation technologies, one which fewer lenders are willing to consider.
“It would be extremely challenging if not impossible to deliver 24 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050 without the government taking most of the burden.”
