Much coverage of proposed UK/US nuclear co-operation

Posted: 16th September 2025

 Today’s News at: http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/category/news/

 Advanced Reactors

 Golden age of nuclear delivers UK-US deal on energy security. New jobs and
growth as companies in the UK and United States sign major new deals to
turbocharge the build-out of new nuclear power stations. The expansion of
nuclear power is central to the UK government’s clean energy superpower
mission, as part of the UK’s drive to build more clean homegrown power to
ensure energy security. Building on existing UK and US collaboration
including between Rolls-Royce and BWXT, the government has increased access
to the market for both UK and US companies with new major commercial deals
to be announced this week: X-Energy and Centrica – plans to build up to 12
advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, with a follow-on UK wide programme
targeting a fleet of 6GW of nuclear power. According to the companies, the
Hartlepool project would generate enough power for up to 1.5 million homes
and create up to 2,500 good jobs. The companies estimate the overall
programme could deliver at least £40 billion in economic value, with £12
billion in value focussed for the North East of England. Holtec, EDF and
Tritax – plans to develop advanced data centres powered by small modular
reactors at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire.
Holtec estimate the project value to be around £11 billion, and it is
expected to create thousands of high-skilled construction jobs, as well as
long-term roles in operations for the local community. Last Energy and DP
World – plans to establish one of the world’s first micro modular
nuclear power plants, backed by £80 million in private investment, to
unlock a clean power supply for the expansion of DP World’s London
Gateway port and business park. Urenco and Radiant – signs a deal, worth
around £4 million, to supply advanced HALEU fuel to the US market. Urenco
is building an Advanced Fuels Facility in the UK co-funded with the UK
Government and is exploring building a similar facility in the US.
TerraPower and KBR – plans to conduct studies and evaluate sites in the
UK for the deployment of the Natrium advanced reactor technology, with each
Natrium reactor supporting around 1,600 construction jobs and 250 permanent
jobs and delivering safe, reliable and flexible nuclear power paired with
gigawatt-scale energy storage. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said:
With President Trump’s leadership, the United States is ushering in a
true nuclear renaissance – harnessing the power of commercial nuclear to
meet rising energy demand and fuel the AI revolution. Meeting this demand
will require strong partnerships with our allies around the world and
robust collaboration with private sector innovators. Today’s commercial
deals set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the U.S. and
UK, enhancing global energy security, strengthening U.S. energy dominance,
and securing nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic.

 DESNZ 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/golden-age-of-nuclear-delivers-uk-us-deal-on-energy-security

 The UK and US are set to sign a landmark agreement aimed at accelerating
the development of nuclear power. The move is expected to generate
thousands of jobs and strengthen Britain’s energy security. It is expected
to be signed off during US President Donald Trump’s state visit this week,
with both sides hoping it will unlock billions in private investment. Prime
Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations were “building a golden age
of nuclear” that would put them at the “forefront of global innovation”.
The government has said that generating more power from nuclear can cut
household energy bills, create jobs, boost energy security, and tackle
climate change. The new agreement, known as the Atlantic Partnership for
Advanced Nuclear Energy, aims to make it quicker for companies to build new
nuclear power stations in both the UK and the US. It will streamline
regulatory approvals, cutting the average licensing period for nuclear
projects from up to four years to just two. Key among the plans is a
proposal from US nuclear group X-Energy and UK energy company Centrica to
build up to 12 advanced modular nuclear reactors in Hartlepool, with the
potential to power 1.5 million homes and create up to 2,500 jobs. The
broader programme could be worth up to £40bn, with £12bn focused in the
north east of England. Other plans include multinational firms such as Last
Energy and DP World working together on a micro modular reactor at London
Gateway port. This is backed by £80m in private investment. Elsewhere,
Holtec, EDF and Tritax are also planning to repurpose the former Cottam
coal-fired plant in Nottinghamshire into a nuclear-powered data centre hub.
This project is estimated to be worth £11bn and could create thousands of
high-skilled construction jobs, as well as permanent jobs in long-term
operations. Beyond power generation, the new partnership includes
collaboration on fusion energy research, and an end to UK and US reliance
on Russian nuclear material by 2028.

 BBC 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgzevzwxwro

 Ministers to fast-track new generation of small nuclear power stations.
The UK and US will sign a deal to speed up regulatory approval, with the
aim of getting the new reactors online by the mid-2030s. Ministers will set
out plans to fast-track a new generation of small nuclear power stations in
a drive to make the UK a world leader in deploying the technology. Under a
deal to be signed as part of President Trump’s state visit, the UK and US
will agree to recognise each other’s safety assessments of the new
reactors, halving the time it takes for them to get regulatory approval.
Ministers hope that the deal will lead to the first commercial deployment
of the new power stations in the UK by the early 2030s, heralding what they
claimed would be a “golden age” of nuclear power. Alongside the deal
Centrica, one of Britain’s largest power suppliers, announced an
agreement with the US nuclear company X-Energy, to build a fleet of 12
advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, The deal will also benefit
Rolls-Royce, which is developing its own type of British built small
modular reactors supported by government funding. Under the plans, Rolls
will not need to replicate regulatory checks on its technology that will be
carried out in the UK to sell in the US market. This should make its
reactor more attractive to American buyers in what is seen as a key market
for the company. EDF energy said it would partner an American nuclear
developer to build small modular reactors for a site providing power to a
Nottinghamshire data centre in a project valued at around £11 billion. EDF
said it would work with Holtec International to install small modular
reactors at a former coal-fired power station on the banks of the River
Trent in Cottam. The reactors will be set up at a 900-acre site owned by
EDF that was using coal to produce energy until 2019. The new nuclear
project is expected to create thousands of manufacturing and construction
jobs for the region.

 Times 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/ministers-to-fast-track-new-generation-of-small-nuclear-power-stations-frjf0z2km

 Guardian 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/15/uk-and-us-line-up-string-of-deals-to-build-modular-nuclear-reactors-in-britain

 Downing Street said the US-UK nuclear energy agreement would make it
easier for companies to build new power stations in both countries,
speeding up the time it takes for a project to get a technology licence
from roughly three or four years to about two. “Together with the US,
we’re building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the
forefront of global innovation and investment,” Starmer said. US energy
secretary Chris Wright said Trump was “ushering in a true nuclear
renaissance” and that the deals being announced during the visit would
secure nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic. Welcoming the nuclear
agreement, FTSE 100 aerospace and engineering company Rolls-Royce said it
had entered the US regulatory process for its small modular reactors,
signalling its intent to roll them out in America as well as in the UK and
elsewhere. The UK government and several companies from the US, Britain and
Europe announced separate plans for new nuclear power stations in England,
focusing on smaller models or next-generation technologies which ministers
hope can be built quicker than current large scale plants and be safer and
produce less waste. One of the plans announced on Monday was a joint
development agreement between UK energy company Centrica and US nuclear
group X-energy to deploy advanced high-temperature, gas-cooled reactors in
Hartlepool.

 FT 14th Sept 2025 

 https://www.ft.com/content/c2013846-8ef5-4354-b5e9-2e4fc375b39b

 Trump to sign nuclear agreement with UK. An agreement between the UK and
US governments is giving the green light to nuclear power plants. An
agreement between the UK and US governments aims to speed up consenting for
new nuclear power stations on both sides of the pond. The agreement,
expected to be signed during a US state visit this week, will enable deals
between US and UK companies as a means to “turbocharge the build-out of
new nuclear power stations,” a Westminster announcement explained. US
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said: “With President Trump’s
leadership, the United States is ushering in a true nuclear renaissance –
harnessing the power of commercial nuclear to meet rising energy demand and
fuel the AI revolution. “Today’s commercial deals set up a framework to
unleash commercial access in both the US and UK, enhancing global energy
security, strengthening U.S. energy dominance, and securing nuclear supply
chains across the Atlantic.” British Gas owner Centrica stands to benefit
as it announced a deal with X-Energy, a subsidiary of X-Energy Reactor
Company. The pair have entered a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to
deploy X-energy’s Xe-100 Advanced Modular Reactors at EDF and
Centrica’s Hartlepool site. The government claims that the move could
create up to 2,500 jobs in Teesside. Off the back of this, Centrica and
X-energy are looking to establish a UK-based development company to develop
this project and subsequent ones. In addition to the Centrica X-energy
deal, four others were unveiled off the back of the government
announcement. Holtec, EDF and Tritax are set to roll out data centres
powered by small modular reactors at the former Cottam coal-fired power
station in Nottinghamshire. The project is set to cost around £11 billion.
Last Energy and DP World look to develop “the world’s first micro
modular nuclear power plants”. Backed by £80 million in private
investment, the project aims to provide power for the expansion of DP
World’s London Gateway port and business park. TerraPower and KBR
announced plans to conduct studies and evaluate sites in the UK for the
deployment of the Natrium advanced reactor technology. Each of these
reactors is set to support around 1,600 construction jobs and 250 permanent
jobs.

 Energy Voice 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.energyvoice.com/renewables-energy-transition/nuclear/580455/trump-to-sign-nuclear-agreement-with-uk/

 Centrica PLC, Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC and the company behind Tritax Big
Box REIT PLC are set to benefit from a series of small nuclear reactor
deals and regulatory fast-tracking collaboration between the UK and US
governments announced on Monday.

 Proactive Investor 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/1078421/centrica-and-rolls-royce-hail-swathe-of-small-nuclear-deals-between-us-and-uk-1078421.html

 The Standard 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/sir-keir-downing-street-centrica-nottinghamshire-edf-b1247700.html

 EXCLUSIVE: ED MILIBAND: ‘Golden age of nuclear will create jobs and
protect Brits from energy shocks’. Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband
says ‘families and businesses continue to pay a heavy price for our
exposure to fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators like Putin’.
Nuclear has a central role in taking back control of our energy so we can
protect our country and bring down bills for good.That is why earlier this
year the Government announced the biggest expansion of nuclear in half a
century – delivering historic public investment in Sizewell C, fusion
energy, and the UK’s first small modular reactors, built by Rolls-Royce.
Today, we are taking another major step forward – announcing a landmark
deal with the United States that will help turbocharge our nuclear
ambitions.

 Mirror 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/ed-miliband-golden-age-nuclear-35900389

 UK–US nuclear commercial deals: X-Energy & Centrica; Up to 12 AMRs at
Hartlepool worth £12bn; part of a wider 6GW programme worth £40bn;
Holtec, EDF & Tritax; £11bn advanced data centres at Cottam, Notts;
thousands of jobs; Last Energy & DP World; £80m micro modular reactor at
London Gateway port; Urenco & Radiant £4m deal to supply HALEU fuel; new
Advanced Fuels Facility; TerraPower & KBR Natrium reactor studies in UK;
1,600 construction.

 Construction Enquirer 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2025/09/15/teesside-notts-and-london-gateway-set-for-nuclear-projects/

 In response to the government announcing plans for American modular
reactors in various sites around the UK, Dr Douglas Parr, Chief Scientist
for Greenpeace UK, said: “While the US blocks the effective, clean
technologies that are successfully cutting carbon emissions around the
world, they are pushing projects that will actively obstruct tackling
climate change. If these proposals for new reactors scattered around
Britain really materialise, the net effect will be higher bills from
nuclear’s relentlessly spiralling costs, and more CO2 as we wait for the
builders to overcome their inevitable construction delays. Anyone curious
about which technologies are actually going to replace fossil fuels can
find the answer by looking for the technologies the fossil fuel industry
spends its money lobbying against. It does not lobby against nuclear.
“Britain is a world leader in offshore wind, battery technology and other
genuinely clean, affordable tech – we should be focusing there rather than
slow, costly reactors which produce waste we still have no plan to handle
after 60 years of trying. There is no evidence that small modular reactors
have changed any of that.”

 Greenpeace 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/press-centre/

 Nuclear Regulation

 In a move designed to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear
reactors across UK and the USA markets, the Office for Nuclear Regulation
(ONR) and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have signed a new
memorandum of understanding. The MoU reaffirms an agreement signed in 2020
to cooperate and exchange technical information as the two countries move
towards the global deployment of new nuclear technologies. The initiative
is expected to cut duplication and fast-track decisions, targeting reactor
design reviews within two years, and nuclear site licensing within one
year. The two regulators will mutually recognise each other’s
assessments, with appropriate due diligence to ensure legal compliance, but
retain independent decision-making. ONR chief executive Mike Finnerty, the
UK’s chief nuclear inspector, said: “The opportunities presented
through the refreshed memorandum of understanding and new collaborative way
of working outlined in the partnership agreement clearly reaffirm our
shared commitment to effective, safe and secure nuclear operations. We have
had a strong relationship with US counterparts for many years, and we look
forward to developing greater collaboration to optimise the collective
regulatory efforts in the best interests of our two nations. We will also
continue to work with industry, through routes such as our early engagement
framework to enhance early understanding of regulatory expectations,
further enabling timely deployment.”

 Construction Index 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/uk-to-accept-us-nuclear-approvals

 As the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) today signs a refreshed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),
regulators have announced a new initiative to streamline regulation and
accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors across UK and US
markets. Signed by Mike Finnerty, ONR’s Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear
Inspector, and David Wright, the NRC’s Chairman, the MoU reaffirms the
agreement signed in 2020 to cooperate closely and exchange technical
information as the two countries move towards the deployment of safe and
secure nuclear technologies globally. Supported by the MoU, ONR and the
Environment Agency, alongside the NRC, have also announced a new
collaborative initiative that will: Cut duplication and fast-track
decisions: Targeting reactor design reviews within two years, and nuclear
site licensing within one year. The Environment Agency will explore
accelerating, site permitting. Share the regulatory load: Regulators will
lead on specific aspects of reviews and mutually recognise each other’s
assessment, with appropriate due diligence to ensure legal compliance and
retain independent decision-making. Accelerate second-jurisdiction reviews:
Where one regulator has already assessed a design, the second regulator
will maximise acceptance of assessment of completed work to avoid
duplication and speed up deployment. Focus on technologies that are already
in licensing, or ready to enter the process in the UK and/or the US.

 ONR 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.onr.org.uk/news/all-news/2025/09/nuclear-regulators-renew-transatlantic-agreement

 AMRs & SMRs

 Small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced modular reactors (AMRs) and
microreactors all represent a shift away from the traditional large,
custom-built nuclear power plants. SMRs are a broad category of nuclear
reactors with a power output typically up to about 470 megawatts — enough
for up to a million homes — but can be significantly lower. Rolls-Royce
has said its design would last for at least 60 years. Their defining
characteristic is their modular design: parts are pre-fabricated and can be
shipped to a site for assembly, which should reduce construction time and
costs compared with conventional reactors. Many SMR designs use light-water
reactor technology — where ordinary water is used as a coolant —
similar to what’s used in most of today’s nuclear plants, but on a
smaller scale. AMRs are a subset of SMRs. Definitions vary, but the term
often describes reactors that use a coolant such as molten salt, liquid
metal or gas.

 Times 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/ministers-to-fast-track-new-generation-of-small-nuclear-power-stations-frjf0z2km

 Centrica & X-Energy

 Centrica is increasing its commitment to nuclear power as part of a £10bn
plan to build the UK’s first advanced modular reactors in north-east
England in partnership with US group X-energy. The agreement, announced on
Monday ahead of the visit to the UK of US President Donald Trump, is one of
several partnerships between British and American companies, which the UK
government has said will help boost the country’s energy security. FTSE
100-listed Centrica and Maryland-based X-energy said they had signed a
“joint development agreement” to deploy the US company’s Xe-100
advanced modular reactors in the UK. The first step would be the deployment
of 12 80-megawatt reactors at a site in Hartlepool, capable of powering
1.5mn homes, the companies said. The announcement comes after Centrica,
which owns UK household supplier British Gas, agreed to invest £1.3bn for
a 15 per cent stake in the large-scale 3.2GW Sizewell C project being built
on the Suffolk coast. O’Shea estimated that the site in Hartlepool would
cost roughly £10bn and require government backing in the form of a
construction levy on consumer electricity bills that would enable investors
to earn a return from the outset. The same model is being used at Sizewell
C in an effort to lower financing costs. Longer-term, the companies said
the Hartlepool site could become the first part of a fleet of up to 6GW of
advanced reactors nationwide.

 FT 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.ft.com/content/3999c95f-ab0d-4f33-ac5e-029a1994422a

 Hartlepool

 Jobs boost on Teesside as UK nuclear first to be developed in Hartlepool.
A number of smaller modular reactors are to be built next to the current
Hartlepool Power Station. A new generation of nuclear power reactors are to
be developed on the site of the Hartlepool power station, bringing hundreds
of jobs and a significant economic boost to the area. Power firms Centrica
and X-energy have signed an agreement to deploy the UK’s first advanced
modular reactors on Teesside when the current nuclear reactor there is
de-commissioned in the next few years.

 Teesside Gazette 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/jobs-boost-teesside-uk-nuclear-32473909

 Hartlepool Mail 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/business/hartlepool-in-line-for-ps12bn-new-nuclear-reactor-development-in-landmark-agreement-between-centrica-and-x-energy-5316594

 Cottam

 Nuclear power could be generated on the site of a former coal power
station in Nottinghamshire. Cottam Power Station was decommissioned in
2019, and in August its eight 114m (375ft) cooling towers were demolished.
Three businesses – American energy firm Holtec International, EDF UK, and
real estate manager Tritax – have now signed an agreement to set up a small
modular reactor (SMR) to power “advanced” data centres at the 900-acre
site. Holtec said the project could create “thousands of high-skilled
manufacturing and construction jobs”, as well as “long-term roles”. The SMR
at Cottam would be the second of its kind, following the creation of a
plant at Palisades in Michigan, in the US. Feasibility studies and
early-stage investment discussions are now under way, with the partnership
hoping to be operational in the 2030s.

 BBC 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wd8xl1kejo

 Holtec International, EDF UK and Tritax Management today announced their
intent to work together to develop Holtec’s SMR-300 small modular
reactors at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire,
to provide clean, secure power to new, advanced data centres on the site.
This intent is formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed
between Holtec, EDF UK and their real estate partner Tritax Management. The
announcement, made ahead of the State Visit of U.S. President Donald Trump
to the UK, signals a landmark transatlantic cooperation in delivering clean
energy and digital innovation. The project could transform one of the
UK’s historic “Megawatt Valley” sites into a hub for clean energy and
new investment opportunities, whilst demonstrating the benefits of U.S.- UK
collaboration in advanced nuclear technologies and data centre development.

 EDF Energy 14th Sept 2025 

 https://www.edfenergy.com/media-centre/holtec-international-edf-uk-and-tritax-announce-plans-develop-cottam-site-data-centres-and

 Wylfa

 Wales has lost a third of its nuclear workforce over the past decade, with
industry leaders warning that only a new project at Wylfa can reverse the
decline. The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) says a decision on
developing the Anglesey site is “crucial” to securing thousands of
skilled jobs and billions of pounds in investment. According to the NIA’s
latest Jobs Map, Wales’s nuclear workforce now stands at 974 – up from
827 last year, largely due to growth at Boccard in Broughton, which is
manufacturing components for the Sizewell C project in Suffolk.

 Nation Cymru 15th Sept 2025 

 https://nation.cymru/news/future-of-welsh-nuclear-jobs-hinges-on-wylfa-decision/

 New Nuclear & Scotland

 The nuclear energy industry’s representatives say the Scottish
Government should change its stance on nuclear energy to grow the economy
and create jobs. Scotland is missing out on opportunities for economic
growth due to the SNP’s aversion to nuclear energy, it has been claimed.
The country has experienced the smallest regional increase in nuclear
energy jobs of anywhere in the UK, the most recent figures show. According
to the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) latest jobs report, Scotland’s
nuclear workforce stands at 5,413 roles – an increase of 268 or five per
cent from last year. By contrast, nuclear jobs in England have risen by
11,000 in the last year – a 13 per cent increase. This rise has been
driven by the UK Government investment for Sizewell C and Rolls-Royce SMR.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, is now
calling on the Scottish Government to change its stance on nuclear energy.

 Scotsman 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/the-snp-should-change-stance-on-nuclear-energy-to-boost-scottish-job-creation-5316784

 Telegraph 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/15/scotland-missing-out-thousands-jobs-snp-ban-nuclear-plants/

 Paul Sheerin is chief executive of Scottish Engineering: I’d like to see
our governments at both the Scottish and UK levels embrace that sensible
approach and extend their openness to a very sensible addition to our low
carbon energy options: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). SMRs are smaller,
factory-built nuclear reactors, typically generating around 10 to 400
megawatts of electricity, that offer a potentially more flexible,
cost-effective, and quicker alternative to traditional large-scale nuclear
power plants. Applying multiple unit production runs brings cost efficiency
to increase competitiveness, and their ability to deploy in a greater
variety of locations offers a stable, low-carbon energy source to support
grids with high renewable energy penetration. Each Rolls-Royce SMR is
capable of powering one million homes, contributing to stable, low-carbon
electricity generation. That seems well aligned with both Scottish and UK
governments’ goals for decarbonisation and given that we are all still
working out how best to steer the energy transition, revisiting the value
of nuclear energy fitting into our mix would be a strong endorsement that
our energy transition need not be binary.

 Herald 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/25461399.break-away-binary-thinking-energy-transition/

 Torness

 John Lamont MP has urged the UK and Scottish governments to back nuclear
energy to help reduce bills and protect the environment. After a visit to
Torness power station, the Scottish Borders MP praised the benefits of
nuclear energy. He said: “Torness is not only a key source of
high-quality jobs, it is also an essential part of our energy sector.
Nuclear power is cleaner and greener than most other alternatives. It is
the best way forward to produce more renewable energy while protecting the
environment. “The approach from the SNP and Labour to net zero needs to
change. It is putting our countryside at risk. Nuclear energy should be
pursued because it needs far less land yet it can produce much more power,
safely and reliably, than other alternatives.

 Southern Reporter 14th Sept 2025 

 https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/politics/borders-mp-calls-on-governments-to-back-nuclear-energy-5315683

 Data Centres

 National Grid has invested in an AI start-up that can intelligently manage
data centres’ electricity usage as it tries to accommodate a wave of new
projects seeking to connect to its power network. Data centre owners could
ultimately be offered the option of connecting to the grid sooner if they
agree to temporarily dial down power usage during periods of peak demand,
such as by using the software of Emerald AI. Server farms have generally
been regarded as inflexible consumers, wishing to maintain full power
supplies at all times. Emerald AI’s platform, Emerald Conductor, uses
artificial intelligence to assess which workloads at the data centre can be
slowed, paused or moved to another data centre to reduce power consumption
temporarily. National Grid, which operates the high-voltage electricity
cables in England and Wales, has 13.5 gigawatts of data centres seeking to
connect to its network, the equivalent power demand of four new nuclear
plants like Hinkley Point C.

 Times 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/ai-start-up-helps-national-grid-to-manage-data-centres-power-use-vm9jrvzgb

 Energy Costs

 Rachel Reeves is drawing up plans to cut household energy bills as part of
an economic reset. The Chancellor told the Cabinet last week that she had
asked officials to work up proposals to reduce bills and ease the cost of
living. She said “all options were on the table” ahead of the Budget
which could see cuts to green levies or changes to the tax regime. One
option floated at the weekend could lower the five per cent VAT rate on
domestic energy bills to zero. This would save consumers about £86 a year
and cost the Treasury an estimated £1.75bn a year, based on the current
energy price cap. However, sources said it was “speculation” and had
not been canvassed by the Treasury. A Treasury source said: “The
Chancellor told Cabinet that both she and the Prime Minister are determined
to tackle inflation, address the cost of living crisis and get serious
about bringing down energy bills.” Experts warned that axing the five per
cent VAT on energy bills would be “regressive” because the greatest
benefit would go to wealthy people with the largest energy bills. Dan
Neidle, a tax specialist, said: “People on the lowest incomes certainly
spend a higher proportion of their income on energy. The answer is targeted
assistance or subsidies for that group, not a VAT cut across the board.”

 Telegraph 14th Sept 2025 

 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/14/rachel-reeves-considers-cutting-energy-bills/

 The cost of building the Sizewell C nuclear power plant is set to add more
than £200,000 a year to major businesses’ energy bills, already among
the highest in Europe. Companies that use a lot of electricity but do not
qualify for exemptions will have to pay levies of around £221,000 to fund
Sizewell C during 2026, according to analysis published by Cornwall
Insight. Investment to upgrade and develop new electricity cables is
separately set to add a further £100,000 in costs for large businesses not
shielded by exemptions from April 2026, climbing to £250,000 by 2030. The
combined effect of both sets of charges amounts to a roughly 5 per increase
on energy bills for affected companies, Cornwall Insight found. Around 500
of the biggest electricity users, such as steelmakers, currently get a 60
per cent discount off their network charges, which will rise to 90 per cent
next year. The same group will also be exempt from the nuclear levy, the
government confirmed. However, that leaves many large electricity users
facing the full brunt of the costs. Water utilities, transport operators
and retailers are the most exposed, Cornwall Insight said.

 FT 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.ft.com/content/30d3fb6c-e350-42e2-b8fd-1756993c56fa

 Climate Policy

 Kathryn Porter: We’re sleepwalking into a net zero disaster. Starmer
must sack Miliband now. Nuclear, not intermittent renewables, is the only
true path to clean, affordable, and secure energy. Economic self-harm
disguised as climate virtue is how I would characterise the UK’s energy
policy. It is now well established that we have the highest industrial
electricity prices in the developed world and the fourth highest domestic
prices. This hurts households with crippling bills. It damages industry by
driving factories offshore. And it harms the planet, because
deindustrialisation pushes production to countries with dirtier energy, and
we incur additional emissions when they ship goods to Britain that were
previously made here. And for what? The UK accounts for less than one per
cent of global emissions. Exporting jobs and importing emissions helps no
one. In fact it makes everything worse – the huge sacrifices we are
making in the name of net zero actually increase global emissions, even if
domestic emissions appear lower. So why are our energy costs so high?
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband blames everything on “high international gas
prices” and “dictators”. He says we must move faster to renewables in
order to lower bills. But does this stack up? Firstly on oil and gas –
the United States, which leans on its abundant fossil fuels, has
consistently cheaper energy than Europe. Its industrial electricity prices
are four times cheaper than in the UK, and its industrial gas prices are
more than four and a half times cheaper. Domestic electricity prices in the
US are almost three times cheaper than in the UK and its domestic gas
prices are two and a half times cheaper.

 Telegraph 14th Sept 2025 

 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/14/sleepwalking-into-net-zero-disaster-starmer-must-miliband/

 For Ed Miliband, it’s a truly awkward moment. His own statisticians have
released data showing that Britain’s North Sea will produce a billion
barrels of oil and gas fewer than expected between now and 2050 – with
analysts linking the downgrade to Labour’s imposition of 78pc taxes and a
ban on new drilling. The assessment, by the North Sea Transition Authority
(NSTA), the government regulator that reports to Mr Miliband, suggests the
UK will have to import a far higher proportion of its oil and gas over the
next 25 years. According to a separate analysis, the accelerated decline of
the North Sea could see half the 200,000 jobs it supports destroyed by
2030. Many of those will be in Scotland, where elections due next year make
such potential losses seriously risky for Labour’s prospects.

 Telegraph 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/09/15/miliband-cost-britain-1bn-barrels-north-sea-oil/

 Faslane & Coulport

 Brendan O’Hara MP (SNP, Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber): If we are to
have nuclear weapons on our doorstep, alongside the vast nuclear
infrastructure which both carries and protects them, then the absolute
minimum we should expect is that the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence
and the UK Government keep them safe and secure. Furthermore, we are
entitled to expect that if something untoward does happen, local people
should be informed as to exactly what has occurred, and what steps they
should take to keep safe. Unfortunately, that has not happened, and as a
recent investigation by the The Guardian and The Ferret has revealed, not
only were there 12 incidents which resulted in leaks of nuclear material
from the RNAD Coulport into Loch Long, leaks which the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency (SEPA), said had “actual or high potential for
radioactive release to the environment” but that the Royal Navy and the
Ministry of Defence then desperately sought to hide that information from
the public. That the communities around Loch Long should find out about
these incidents via the work of investigative journalists is completely
unacceptable. The SEPA report is a damning indictment of both the Ministry
of Defence and the management of the Royal Navy. SEPA concluded that “The
pollution happened because the Royal Navy failed to properly maintain a
network of 1,500 pipes at the Royal Navy Armaments Depot at Coulport on
Loch Long”, and they point the finger of blame squarely at the UK
government for causing “shortfalls in maintenance”, shortfalls which
resulted in “unnecessary radioactive waste” being discharged into
Loch Long. The negligence, coupled with the subsequent cover-up, displays a
breath-taking level of arrogance and complacency, and a complete
indifference to the well-being of the people of the communities who live in
and around Loch Long.

 Helensburgh Advertiser 14th Sept 2025 

 https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/25448242.brendan-ohara-mp-area-expects-nuclear-weapon-safety/

 Renewables in Wales

 Every time an application for a large wind farm or solar farm is submitted
to the Welsh Planning Department (PEDW), a long and complicated process is
kicked off. Many Welsh government bodies and other official organisations
have to be consulted for each application. The organisations consulted
typically include the local council – planning experts, ecologists,
highways experts. Then engagement is required with additional organisations
– Natural Resources Wales, NATS (National Air Traffic), CADW. Fire and
Rescue services, the Health and Safety Executive, MOD and more. Individuals
from each of these organisations are required to read the wind or solar
farm developer’s application – usually hundreds of pages long. Then
they have to report back to PEDW with their findings and expert opinions.
It is frequently a tactic of renewable energy developers to plan a very
large industrial renewable energy park and then split it down into multiple
smaller developments – at least on paper.

 Nation Cymru 14th Sept 2025 

 https://nation.cymru/opinion/our-broken-planning-system-for-renewable-energy-developments/

 Carolyn Thomas MS (Labour & Co-op): For centuries, Welsh natural resources
have been the source of immense wealth – but rarely for the people who
live here. Our coal powered the Industrial Revolution, our slate helped to
roof the world, and our villages were drowned to provide water for English
cities. That legacy of exploitation still echoes today. The British royal
family continues to profit from the Welsh seabed through the Crown Estate,
whilst fossil fuel companies see the North East Wales shoreline as little
more than a dumping ground for their fanciful ‘carbon capture’ schemes.
Once again, we are at risk of being treated as a resource bank for others
to draw from, with wealth siphoned out of Wales and into the bank accounts
of the already wealthy.

 Nation Cymru 13th Sept 2025 

 https://nation.cymru/opinion/from-exploitation-to-empowerment-towards-welsh-energy-sovereignty/

 Solar

 Bumper solar generation pushes UK’s electricity grid mix past clean
energy record. Britain’s electricity grid has recorded its cleanest three
months ever, fuelled by record amounts of solar, research by Drax Electric
Insights shows. Drax’s report, produced by Imperial College London, shows
that the carbon intensity of electricity in Britain has fallen below 100g
of CO2 for the first time – and is now more than 350 gCO2/kWh lower than
a decade ago. Solar power is key to this reduction in carbon-emitting
energy sources, with more than 3GW of solar generation capacity having been
added in Britain since 2023. The nation now hosts around 20GW of solar.
Solar’s contribution to the country’s energy mix reached 40% of the
total in May 2025, and June saw the cleanest day in Britain’s history,
with grid emissions averaging only 28 gCO2/kWh.

 Edie 12th Sept 2025 

 https://www.edie.net/bumper-solar-generation-pushes-uks-electricity-grid-mix-past-clean-energy-record/

 Energy Storage

 Fidra Energy, a European battery energy storage system (BESS) platform
headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, today announced it has secured up to £445
million of new equity investment from EIG and the National Wealth Fund (the
NWF) as it reaches financial close on the UK’s largest Battery Energy
Storage System (BESS) project at its Thorpe Marsh site in Doncaster, South
Yorkshire. Construction of Thorpe Marsh is set to begin immediately and, in
addition to the investment by EIG and the NWF, will be funded by new loan
facilities of £594 million from a club of international lenders1. Thorpe
Marsh is the largest standalone BESS project financed globally and the
largest BESS financing in Europe. The 1,400 MW / 3,100MWh project, which is
expected to be operational starting in mid-2027, will be the largest
battery storage facility in the UK and among the largest in Europe. Once
completed, Thorpe Marsh is expected to be three times larger than any other
BESS project currently in operation or under construction in the UK and
will have the potential to export over 2 million MWh annually, enough to
supply about 785,000 homes each year.

 Fidra Energy 10th Sept 2025 

 https://fidraenergy.com/fidra-energy-reaches-financial-close-on-the-uks-largest-battery-energy-storage-project-backed-by-eig-and-the-national-wealth-fund/

 Low Carbon Shipping

 Some £448m of public funding will be spent on maritime decarbonisation
projects across the UK, including electric vessels and next-generation
hydrogen, ammonia and methanol-based fuels. Transport Secretary Heidi
Alexander said the investment will “supercharge growth and jobs in
coastal towns and cities, making the UK one of the best places in the world
to invest”. The money will bolster the Government’s UK SHORE programme
for investing in low-carbon innovation for the maritime industry. This
initiative was first launched in March 2022 with an initial budget of up to
£206m. A total of £240m has been allocated through the programme to date,
benefitting 200 projects across the UK, including scientific research,
factory trials, real-world demonstrations and commercial trials. The
Government claims the investment has also unlocked a further £110m in
direct private investment.

 Edie 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.edie.net/low-carbon-shipping-uk-government-pledges-448m-investment/

 Fuel Poverty

 More than 40% of private renters in England and Wales were forced to
ration their gas and electricity use last winter to afford their energy
bills, according to Citizens Advice. A survey by the consumer charity found
that 41% of renters, or the equivalent of 4.5 million people, had to eke
out energy, while one-third, or 3.5 million, struggled to maintain a
comfortable temperature during the winter months. Most of those cutting
back were living in homes with low energy-efficiency ratings. Citizens
Advice said some tenants reported taking drastic measures such as skipping
hot meals, wearing gloves inside, and limiting heating to just one room of
their home. Delays to landlord energy efficiency standards will cost
England’s renters £1bn. The charity is calling on the government to
deliver urgently on its promise of tougher rules for landlords, which would
require them to upgrade their properties to a minimum energy performance
certificate (EPC) C by 2030.

 Guardian 15th Sept 2025 

 https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/sep/15/more-than-40-of-private-renters-ration-energy-use-to-afford-bills-study-finds

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