Attitude to the use of nuclear energy in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2020

According to a 2020 survey, support for the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation in the UK outweighed opposition. Of respondents, 32 percent supported its use, compared to 23 percent who opposed it. Despite nuclear disasters occurring as recently as 2011, when a tsunami hit a power plant in Fukushima, Japan, approximately one third of UK residents believe it provides a safe source of energy.

Nuclear powers future in the UK uncertain

In recent years, the UK government championed nuclear power as a reliable and low carbon source of electricity, to be used for many years to come. However, it now faces an uncertain future. In addition to power plants nearing the end of their life cycle, new multi-billion-pound projects have been scrapped. 2018 saw Toshiba withdrew from the Mooreside nuclear power station project, and Hitachi suspended work on the Wylfa project in Anglesey, North Wales in 2019.