Shelved nuclear power plans leave UK government's energy policy in hot water

An image showing a general view of the Wylfa Nuclear Power Station

Source: © Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Nuclear plant pull-outs bring energy finance models under the spotlight

The UK government’s nuclear energy policy is in doubt after the Japanese company Hitachi stopped work on a proposed plant in Wylfa last month. The move comes only months after fellow Japanese firm Toshiba shelved plans to build a nuclear power station in Cumbria. On 17 January 2019, Horizon Nuclear Power, the Hitachi-owned subsidiary responsible for the Wylfa project, put all construction at the site on hold. The £15 billon 2.9GW nuclear power plant was to have a 60-year operational life. Hitachi also scrapped plans for another reactor at Oldbury.