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History of the UK Nuclear Sector

The existence of a nuclear industry in the UK originates with scientific discoveries of global significance.

1940s - Military Origins

MAUD Report
The Maud Committee publish two reports, covering the possibility of using uranium as a source of power and as a weapon.
1941
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project, led by the USA with the support of Canada and the UK, comprised research and development undertaken to produce the first nuclear weapons, during WW2.
1942
The Trinity Test
The Trinity Test, on 16 July 1945, was the first detonation of a nuclear weapon. Subsequently, the first atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima (6 August 1945) and Nagasaki (9 August 1945).
1945
Atomic Energy Research Establishment
On 1 January 1946, the Ministry of Supply established the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) at RAF Harwell, under the UK Atomic Energy Act 1946.
1946

1950s - Military to Civil

Windscale Piles
On the site of the former Sellafield Ordnance Factory, Windscale Pile 1 began operations to produce plutonium; Windscale Pile 2 followed in 1951. Their fuel (natural uranium) was produced at the Springfields site.
1950
Atoms for Peace
In a speech, US President Eisenhower proposed “Atoms for Peace” – that nuclear research and development should be reoriented from military to civil (electricity generation) purposes.
1953
UK Atomic Energy Authority
The UK Atomic Energy Act 1954 established the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), overseeing a research and development programme to develop nuclear reactor technologies and an atomic weapon deterrent.
1954
Calder Hall
On 17 October 1956 Queen Elizabeth opened the first full-scale Nuclear Power Station in the world, a Magnox Reactor at Calder Hall. Workington in Cumbria became the first town to be powered by nuclear energy.
1956

1960s - Nuclear for Power

1980s - Changing Times

Sellafield
In 1981, the BNFL-owned portion of the Windscale and Calder Works were renamed as Sellafield. The remainder of the site, owned by UKAEA, continued to be known as Windscale.
1981
The end of the UK Nuclear Age?
A policy review by Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government ultimately led to the shelving of the then-planned PWRs at Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and Wylfa B.
1989

2000s - A New Framework

Nuclear Industry Security Regulations
The Nuclear Industry Security Regulations 2003 (NISR 2003) provides the legal framework that underpins the security regulation of the nuclear industry, including the requirement for approved site security plans.
2003
Civil Nuclear Police Authority
Under the Energy Act 2004, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) were created to oversee the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) and meet the policing needs of the UK’s nuclear licenced sites.
2004
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
On 1 April 2005 the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) commenced its functions under the Energy Act 2004 with the mission to clean-up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively. Sites on the NDA Estate include Sellafield, Dounreay and the Magnox sites.
2005
New Nuclear
A 2008 Government White Paper formally backs development of a new generation of nuclear power stations, identifying eight potential sites in 2009 and establishing the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process.
2008
EDF
EDF purchases British Energy, including the UK’s seven operating AGRs and one operating PWR.
2009

2020s - The Dawn of a New Era?

Great British Nuclear
During July 2023, the UK Government launched Great British Nuclear (GBN) to drive expansion of the nuclear sector in the UK and achieve 24 GW of nuclear electricity supply to the grid by 2050. GBN have thus launched competition funding for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANTs).
2023

Explore Further

Choose from the articles below to continue learning about nuclear.

Close-up of Oldbury nuclear power station under construction with a crane in the foreground

Magnox Reactors – At the Forefront of a New Age

Developed in the United Kingdom during the mid-20th century, Magnox Reactors were pivotal in demonstrating the feasibility of nuclear power.
Aftermath of the Fukushima accident by Digital Globe.

Fukushima Accident

Fukushima accident , 11 March 2011

Tokaimura

Tokaimura Incident, 30 September 1999
Aerial view of Chernobyl nuclear power plant with sarcophagus in place.

Chernobyl

Chernobyl Incident, 26 April 1986

Below you can find references to the information and images used on this page.

Image References