Up to eight more nuclear reactor could be built on existing sites as part of the UK's new energy strategy.
Plans to increase wind, hydrogen and solar production are included in the plan to boost UK energy independence and tackle rising prices.
Experts want a bigger focus on energy efficiency and home insulation.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine pushed gas prices even higher.
The government wants up to 85% of the UK's electricity to come from low-carbon sources by the year 2030.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) said it would be more than enough to power every home in the UK if it were possible to produce up to 50 gigawatts of energy through offshore wind farms.
The construction of wind turbines is thought to have been one of the big points of contention.
The new body called Great British Nuclear will be launched by the government to bolster the UK's nuclear capacity, with the hope that by 2050 25% of the projected electricity demand will come from that source.
The focus on nuclear will deliver up to eight reactors, with one being approved each year until the year 2030.
Sizewell in Suffolk will get two new reactors during this parliament.
Oldbury in Cumbria has been named as a potential host for either a large-scale plant or a smaller modular nuclear reactor.
Nuclear power stations are expensive to build and have proved difficult to fund in recent years.
Nuclear power facilities will be too late to meet the UK's emissions targets or reduce energy prices if they take so long to come on stream, according to critics.
Tom Greatrex, boss of the Nuclear Industry Association, said the plans marked a vital step forward for the UK to meet its climate goals and could create thousands of jobs.
He said that the ambition and determination to do much more and quicker is very welcome.
The government said it will reform planning rules to shorten approval times for new offshore wind farms.
The strategy only commits to consulting on developing partnerships with a limited number of supportive communities who want to host wind turbines in exchange for lower energy bills.
Since 2015, when the government ended subsidies and introduced stricter planning rules, new wind projects have been declining.
H2O production targets are being doubled.
Increasing the production of renewable energy is one of the plans to accelerate.
The projects will have a new licensing round in the autumn.
Producing gas in the UK has a lower carbon footprint than imported gas, and the government recognised the importance of these fuels to energy security.
Environmentalists and energy experts reacted with disbelief and anger at some of the measures in the strategy.
They can't believe the government doesn't have any new policies on saving energy.
They say energy efficiency is the cheapest way to improve energy security.
The strategy is being seen as an energy supply strategy according to a source.
Even though humans have already found enough fossil fuels to wreck the climate, ministers have committed to seeking more oil and gas in the North Sea.
There is a strong welcome for the promise of more energy from wind offshore.
The boost has not been offered to the wind.
There was a mixed reaction to the decision to boost nuclear. Some environmentalists think it is too dangerous. They don't like the idea that every city could have a mini reactor.
Nuclear must be part of the energy mix according to other climate campaigners.
The new strategy didn't serve the needs of people or the climate according to the Green Party co-leader.
UK energy prices have gone up for months due to surging demand. Costs went up even more after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Although Russian imports account for only 8% of UK oil and 5% of gas supplies, they are still affected by rising wholesale prices worldwide and household budgets have come under pressure.
If the government was concerned about energy bills and taking real climate action, it would go even further on wind.
The plan was welcomed by offshore wind firm Orsted.
The government's energy relaunch is in disarray, said Ed Miliband, Labour's shadow climate change and net-zero secretary.
Boris Johnson has completely caved to his own backbenchers and now, ludicrously, his own energy strategy has failed on the sprint we needed on wind and solar, the cheapest, cleanest forms of power.
This relaunch will not help the millions of families facing an energy bills crisis.
The plans were described as "utterly hopeless" by the Liberal Democrat leader, and "missed opportunity" by the SNP's Stephen Flynn.
Dr Simon Cran-McGreehin, head of analysis at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, felt overwhelmed by the announcement.
We started off with a price crisis during the winter, and now we could be in a supply crisis.
This is an immediate problem that needs solutions now, and this doesn't do anything for prices.
It tries to do some things on energy supply, but they are all medium to long-term measures. He said that it seems to fail the exam question.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement that the strategy would reduce our dependence on power sources exposed to volatile international prices so we can enjoy greater energy self-sufficiency with cheaper bills.
The Secretary of Business and Energy said: "Scaling up cheap renewables and new nuclear, while maximising North Sea production, is the best and only way to ensure our energy independence over the coming years."
All Rights Reserved © 2024
