Approved work: Nuclear energy in the UK
This POSTnote will consider the current plans for building new nuclear plant in the UK and the potential of delivering the Government's ambitions in this sector.

The burning of natural gas for heating contributes 14% of the UK’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Decarbonising, or reducing the carbon content of the UK gas supply is one option for reducing the emissions from heating. This POSTnote looks at the contribution that two alternative gases, hydrogen and biomethane, could make in achieving this goal.
Decarbonising the Gas Network (449 KB , PDF)
The Climate Change Act (2008) requires an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to 1990 levels by 2050. The UK is on track to meet short-term emissions targets, but is unlikely to meet longer term targets without additional policies. While emissions from electricity production have fallen significantly, there has been much less progress in reducing emissions from heating.
The gas network supplies natural gas to consumers for heat, and could in future supply alternative gases that do not contribute to climate change. This note looks at the prospects for ‘decarbonising’ the gas network, by supplying biomethane and hydrogen in place of natural gas. It covers their production and supply, carbon emissions and costs, and technical and policy challenges.
Key points in this POSTnote include:
An update to this note was published on 27 Nov 2017.
Acknowledgements
POSTnotes are based on literature reviews and interviews with a range of stakeholders and are externally peer reviewed. POST would like to thank interviewees and peer reviewers for kindly giving up their time during the preparation of this briefing, including:
Decarbonising the Gas Network (449 KB , PDF)
This POSTnote will consider the current plans for building new nuclear plant in the UK and the potential of delivering the Government's ambitions in this sector.
This POSTnote will consider the sustainability of biomass crop feedstocks grown in the UK, and the land use and other challenges that may arise.
This POSTnote will assess the various types of long duration energy storage currently being developed and their potential to contribute to the UK’s net zero goal.