Nuclear Dreams Delayed: UK's Modular Reactor Plans Hit Speed Bump

Modular Nuclear Reactors: A Promising but Elusive Goal In a bid to reduce reliance on Russian energy, the UK government has announced plans to build over a dozen small nuclear reactors across the country. However, industry experts warn that these modular reactors may not be ready for deployment anytime soon. The partnership between British firm Centrica and US start-up X-Energy aims to construct 12 small modular nuclear reactors to power data centers, as well as a micro modular nuclear power plant at DP Worlds London Gateway port built by US start-up Last Energy. The projects are expected to usher in a new era for nuclear power, but no dates have been given for the beginning of construction. Bruno Merk, a nuclear engineer at the University of Liverpool, notes that while smaller reactors are becoming increasingly popular, they still face significant engineering and commercial challenges. "The technology is promising, but it's not yet ready for prime time," he says. The UK government's goal to divest from Russian energy within three years is ambitious, but experts say it may be overly optimistic. "We're talking about building a new industry from scratch here," says Dr. Merk. "It's going to take time, and we need to be realistic about what can be achieved." Background on the proposed Xe-100 plant in the US from X-Energy reveals that it uses similar technology to one planned in the UK. The UK government has been keen to promote nuclear power as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, but critics argue that the costs and risks associated with these projects are too high. Industry insiders point out that while modular reactors offer several advantages over traditional nuclear plants, including lower construction costs and reduced waste production, they also require significant investment in research and development. "We need to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves here," says Dr. Merk. "We don't want to rush into something that's not yet ready for deployment." The current status of the projects is unclear, with no official timeline for construction or operation. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero did not respond to New Scientist's request for more detail. As the UK government pushes forward with its plans for modular nuclear reactors, industry experts will be watching closely to see if these ambitious projects can deliver on their promise. With the clock ticking on the government's goal to divest from Russian energy, it remains to be seen whether these small but mighty reactors can help meet that target. Byline: Emily Wilson, Energy Reporter *Reporting by Newscientist.*