LONDON (Reuters) -The U.S. ambassador to London on Wednesday attacked Britain’s approach to nuclear power in an unusually strong criticism on the eve of an expected decision on the development of a site in north Wales.
Britain is expected on Thursday to announce its first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station will be located in Wylfa on Anglesey, an island in North Wales, where there was an old nuclear power station that closed down in 2015.
But the United States had been pushing for a large-scale nuclear project, and on Wednesday ambassador Warren Stephens issued a strongly-worded rebuke of Britain for its decision.
“We are extremely disappointed by this decision, not least because there are cheaper, faster, and already-approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location,” Stephens said, adding that while he wanted Britain to be the strongest possible ally to the United States, “high energy costs are an impediment to that.”
“If you want to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible and take a big step in addressing energy prices and availability, there is a different path, and we look forward to decisions soon on large scale nuclear projects.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has cited his close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump as helping on a range of fronts, from securing the first deal to relieve some U.S. tariffs to working together on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
But Trump has been outspoken in his criticism of Britain’s energy policy and efforts to reach net zero by 2050, calling on the government to drill more oil from the North Sea and criticising the country’s windfarms.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
