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London | June 24, 2025 — The United Kingdom is launching its most ambitious nuclear energy programme in decades, reviving large-scale reactors and embracing small modular units through sweeping reforms, major investments, and strategic infrastructure upgrades to bolster national energy security and support net-zero objectives.
Gigawatt-scale reactors
The government, via its Civil Nuclear Roadmap, aims to commission up to eight new gigawatt-scale reactors by 2050—quadrupling current nuclear output to around 24 GW, approximately 25% of projected electricity demand.
Hinkley Point C & Sizewell C
EDF’s Hinkley Point C, begun in 2017, remains the sole gigawatt-scale plant under construction. After delays and increased costs (now expected in 2029), it received a fresh £4.5 bn funding boost from Apollo Global to plug financing gaps.
Meanwhile, Sizewell C, with site groundwork underway since early 2024, has just won £14.2 bn in UK government capital—bringing total state funding near £18 bn.
Planning reform & SMRs
In a bid to streamline projects, regulatory reforms now permit nuclear plants to be built “anywhere in England or Wales,” scrapping previous restrictions
Rolls Royce is developing small modular reactors (SMRs), backed with £2.5 bn in public money, with an aim to have the first units operational by the early 2030s.
Nuclear fuel sovereignty
A £300 m investment targets domestic production of HALEU (high-assay low-enriched uranium), reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Clean baseload energy
As renewables struggle with intermittency and energy demand grows (e.g., from data centres), nuclear is seen as the only reliable low-carbon backbone
Energy independence & security
Post-Ukraine invasion and rising geopolitical tensions, the UK is determined not to be "held ransom" again by fossil fuel volatility
Economic stimulus
New reactors are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, revitalise the nuclear supply chain, and foster high-tech industrial skills .
A crucial, often-overlooked innovation in these builds is clad plate—a composite metal where corrosion-resistant alloys (like stainless steel or nickel alloys) are bonded to structural steel backing. Its importance includes:
Corrosion protection: Critical in reactor containment, heat exchangers, steam generators, and outlets handling high-pressure coolant and radioactive substances.
Hydrogen embrittlement resistance: In hydrogen-handling pipes or SMR cooling loops, clad-liner alloys preserve ductility and prevent cracking.
Cost-effective retrofit: During refurbishments or expansions, clad plate allows structural reinforcement without full stainless rebuilds—saving 30–50% on material costs.
Longevity & safety: Extends equipment lifespan, minimizes maintenance, and upholds safety standards vital for nuclear licensing.
This integration aligns with UK aspirations for financial prudence and clean-energy reliability, ensuring both gigawatt-scale and modular reactors meet future operational demands.
Despite strong momentum, several obstacles remain:
Project delays & cost creep
Hinkley Point C’s timeline pushes into the late 2020s, and Sizewell C could slip into the 2030s
SMR timelines
No commercial SMR has yet been built; Rolls Royce's plans hinge on tight schedules and clean regulation.
Funding pressure
The government’s heavy capital investment may require significant private-sector participation—especially for project sustainability.
Nanjing Fugo New Material Tech Co., Ltd. (Fugo Tech) is an ISO 9001 and PED 2014/68/EU certified manufacturer specializing in Clad Material (Explosive Clad Plates & Rolled Clad Plate, Clad Bar) and Titanium, Nickel Alloy, and Stainless Steel products (Pipe/Fitting/Flange/Fastener) which are widely used in the Heat Exchanger, Pressure Vessel, Reactor, Column, Tower, and other process equipment.
Fugo Tech offers different material combinations of Clad Plate (Explosion-welded clad plate/composite plate & Rolled-welded clad plate/composite plate) , and also offers a wide range of materials, including Titanium, Nickel Alloy, Copper, Cu-Ni, and Stainless Steel, along with custom processing services (Tube Sheet drilling, Dish Head forming) for Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Chemical, Energy, Paper & Pulp, Marine, Shipbuilding, Environment, Metallurgy, and New Energy Vehicles, with a strong focus on high-performance Clad Plate & Titanium & Nickel Alloy & Stainless Steel solutions.
For any new requirement, please contact: sales@fugo-tech.com
Fugo Tech is focused on the manufacturing of clad metal plate and distributes the Stainless Steel, Titanium, Nickel Alloy, Zirconium and other non-ferrous metal pipes, fittings, flanges, and fasteners.
