UK Green party drops longstanding opposition to nuclear power

The UK Green Party has abandoned its decades-long opposition to nuclear power, marking a significant shift in its energy policy. During a conference, party members voted to end the commitment to phase out nuclear technology, opening the door for the assessment of individual nuclear projects alongside other low-carbon options. The party's electricity generation policy remains focused on offshore wind, onshore wind, and rooftop solar as primary sources, but elected representatives will now be able to support new nuclear reactors on a case-by-case basis.

Party member Carla Denyer explained that the decision recognizes the role of nuclear power during the transition to an electricity system primarily based on renewables. She noted that keeping existing nuclear stations running could be a low-carbon option, as a significant portion of their carbon footprint comes from construction.

Denyer suggested that if she were the energy secretary, she would keep existing nuclear plants operating while carefully evaluating proposals for new nuclear power, considering factors such as cost, speed, and environmental impacts.

The party's shift in stance contrasts with its previous assessment of nuclear energy as "incredibly slow and incredibly expensive" in 2023. However, Denyer acknowledged that her perspective had evolved, recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to consider all available options. The Green Party's leader, Zack Polanski, had previously described new nuclear reactors as outdated and compared investment in them to "creating a fax machine."

The motion adopted by the Green Party allows elected representatives to evaluate individual nuclear proposals based on their merits, rather than taking a blanket stance against or for nuclear power. Eugene McCarthy, a co-founder of Greens for Nuclear and a supporter of the motion, emphasized that the party is in a "throw-the-kitchen-sink-at-it" phase of the climate crisis, where no option should be ruled out.

McCarthy stressed that the decision enables elected members of parliament to make informed choices on a case-by-case basis.

However, not everyone supports the party's new approach. Professor Andrew Stirling, who has advised government on nuclear power and energy policy, criticized the motion as "completely irrational." Stirling questioned why a party that has long voiced concerns about nuclear power would now shift its position. He pointed out that authoritative sources agree that climate action is much faster, more affordable, and impactful with combined renewables and storage, and questioned the use of scarce resources on less effective actions.