The benefits of nuclear power to the United Kingdom

Nuclear power has contributed electricity to the British grid since Calder Hall was commissioned in 1956. Magnox stations are expected to achieve operational lives of at least 30 years. They have been followed by the Advanced Gas Reactors, and approval for a PWR plant at Sizewell is being sought. Efforts are being made to develop a cost-effective fast reactor and associated fuel cycle. The nuclear power program has resulted in significant cost savings and has supplied the energy equivalent of 1 billion pounds of oil. The British nuclear industry also carries on significant international business. However, economic realities have contributed to the fact that the optimistic expectations of the 1960s have not been fulfilled