The need for fast-tracked schemes is one of 129 recommendations made by former energy minister Chris Skidmore in his government-ordered net zero review titled Mission Zero.
The report calls for a “clear roadmap in 2023” for reaching final investment decision on new nuclear plants in the next parliament. It urges the government to ensure funding is in place and plans for a technology selection process confirmed.
As part of the roadmap, the government should deliver on siting strategy by 2024.
The report calls for the formation of Great British Nuclear (GBN) to be “expedited in early 2023” so that a “clear roadmap” of future schemes can be developed this year to tackle “rising power demand”.
The government first announced its intention to set up GBN to develop a project pipeline in its energy security strategy published in April last year.
New Nuclear Is ‘No Regrets Option’
Skidmore concludes that speeding up the formation of GBN will address industry concerns about a “lack of clarity on the pathway” to achieving the UK government’s ambition for nuclear energy to provide a quarter of power consumed within the country.
The review concludes: “Building new nuclear is a no-regrets option, despite high upfront costs and long construction times.
“In view of rising power demand, nuclear energy can provide reliable baseload power which is not weather dependent and can provide other services to power networks.”
It adds: “To achieve affordability and efficiency, the government needs to commit to funding a fleet of projects. Recognising the start times for new build nuclear, a clear roadmap for nuclear deployment up to 2035 is required.”
In recent years the UK has generated about 15% of its power from its fleet of commercial nuclear power plants, but most are being retired this decade, with the last one – Sizewell B – due to close in 2035.
Since 2000, the UK has seen permanent reactor shutdowns at Hinkley Point A, Bradwell, Calder Hall, Hunterston, Oldbury, Sizewell, Chapelcross, Dungeness and Wylfa.
Report Calls For ‘Significant Efforts’
The only remaining operating plants are nine reactors across four sites at Hartlepool, Heysham, Sizewell B and Torness. There are two plants under construction at Hinkley Point C and another two in the pipeline at Sizewell C.
“Significant efforts are therefore needed to not only maintain the current role of nuclear energy but also for nuclear to help meet rising energy demand,” the reports concludes.
Ambitions to develop a fleet of small nuclear reactors have also been widely supported by government in the past few years, with Rolls-Royce calling for talks on financing for plans to deploy its SMR technology.
The head of the UK’s leading nuclear industry body recently urged the government to pursue SMRs with “pace and urgency”, amid reports of a funding delay with ministers unable to agree over the cost of the country’s energy ambitions.
Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the London-based Nuclear Industry Association, told the free business newspaper City A.M. that the UK needed to develop a pipeline of projects to ramp up nuclear power in line with the government’s energy security projects.
Rolls-Royce wants to deploy its SMRs and is calling for talks with the government on financing. Courtesy Rolls-Royce SMR.
