Nuclear power is “absolutely critical to weaning us from fossil fuels, including Russian oil and gas,” Johnson said during a visit to Hartpool, England, on Monday. “Instead of a new one every decade, we will build one every year, supplying homes with clean, safe and reliable energy,” Johnson tweeted. This is not the first time the prime minister has highlighted the benefits of nuclear power. In April, he said that “nuclear energy is a reliable, safe and stable source of clean energy.” Nuclear power provided about 21% of the UK’s energy needs in 2020, up from 9.4% in 2000. The government has outlined a plan to expand the country’s nuclear power generation to 24 gigawatts by 2050, or about 25% of electricity demand. The UK decision to double its historically polarized nuclear use differs from Germany’s approach, which announced plans to build new liquefied natural gas terminals instead of restoring nuclear reactors online. France, on the other hand, has long supported nuclear energy. relies on nuclear reactors for about 70% of its electricity.
