Nuclear plays a critical role in the UK's carbon-free future

With more than 3,000 employees at 11 UK sites and more than 100 years of experience, GE Vernova has deep roots in—and a strong commitment to—the UK. In fact, 35% of UK electricity is generated on GE Vernova equipment, as the graphic below illustrates.

GE Hitachi—which is part of GE Vernova—has been present in the UK for decades, and added a UK Country Leader, UK Project Director, and UK Licensing Manager (see the bottom of this page) in 2024. We plan to build upon this core team significantly through the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF), Generic Design Assessment (GDA), and Great British Nuclear SMR program.

Nuclear’s carbon footprint is miniscule compared to fossil fuels. In fact, if all the world’s coal and natural gas plants were replaced with low-carbon nuclear, global CO₂ emissions would be reduced by nearly 13 billion tons annually.

Yes! There are nine operating commercial nuclear power reactors at five nuclear generating stations in the UK which, in 2022, produced 5.9 GWe—approximately 16% of the UK’s electricity. However, at its peak capacity in 1997, 26% of the UK’s electricity came from nuclear energy. Four of those reactors are slated for closure by the year 2030.

Nuclear is already the most land-efficient means of electricity production, requiring only 2.4 km²/TWh per year. However, an SMR like the GE Hitachi BWRX-300 is also designed to reduce building volume in plant layout by about 90 percent, resulting in a minimal impact on natural habitats compared to fossil fuels.

Many countries have safely used nuclear power for well over 60 years. It is one of the most closely monitored and regulated industries in the world and actually has the lowest rate of fatalities and injuries per unit of electricity compared to all other electric power generation. Cyber security and physical on-site security are top-tier and on guard 24/7/365.

The reactors themselves are built to strident safety specifications, constantly monitored, and layered with multiple redundancy systems to maintain the unprecedented track record of safety the industry has achieved.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is the UK’s nuclear regulator. It is an independent agency with legal authority to regulate nuclear safety, civil nuclear security and safeguards, and—at authorized defense sites—conventional health and safety at the licensed British nuclear sites.

The ONR ensures that security arrangements are adequate for dealing with special nuclear material and information. It also regulates the transportation safety and security of civil nuclear and radioactive materials by road, rail, and inland waterways.