UK to Move Away from Russian Energy by Supplementing Country’s Nuclear and Wind Power Plants
The UK government, through the BBC has bared plans to expand the kingdom’s nuclear power plants and offshore wind farms to increase local energy production. The plans to expand and supplement local energy sources are part of the government’s plan to permanently move away from procuring oil and gas from Russia.
How the British Government Plans to Carry Out Expansion of Nuclear Power Plants
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been reported to have been in meeting and holding talks with prominent personalities associated with the North Sea oil and gas sector; and with representatives of organizations that deal with nuclear and renewable energy The UK PM previously signified intention of seeing UK’s nuclear energy production increase by 25% by the year 2050.
However. the UK Treasury raised concerns that the costs of such plans are not included in the government’s current spending review. Actually, there are six nuclear plants in the UK supplying around 20% of the electricity demand in the country, Yet most of these plants have reactors that will be out of commission before the year 2030, which means they will cease to operate by that period. The construction of new plants therefore will be met with funding complications.
Nevertheless, Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng of the Business Sector gave confirmation that a new body of ministers will be organized to oversee plans of establishing new nuclear power plants. According to reports, the government has been authorized to finance nuclear projects by making customers sunsidize the cost. Share in construction costs as they are incurred will be added to customers’ monthly billing statements.
Government’s Plans to Install Offshore Wind Farms
The BBC report said that PM Johnson has also mentioned his desire to expand energy sources by installing offshore wind power plants.
Offshore plants, as opposed to onshore wind plants,are located over bodies of water like the ocean and not on land. As it is, the Prime Minister was told that while it only takes less than a day to install wind turbines, obtaining approval for onshore wind farms can take about 10 years. The Department of Transportation says many local communities oppose onshore wind farms because they destroy the view of their landscapes.