British government plans unprecedented nuclear renaissance

The UK government announced last week the establishment of a new government body to help the country kick-start the construction of new nuclear units. A major revival of the country’s nuclear sector is intended to propel it to the forefront of the global race to develop new technologies. In addition to strengthening energy security, new nuclear power sources are expected to reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel prices and contribute to economic growth.

The new government body, Great British Nuclear (GBN), is expected to play a key role in achieving the 2050 nuclear energy target, under which nuclear power would account for around a quarter of the country’s electricity generation. According to the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, GBN is to drive the rapid growth of new nuclear construction on an “unprecedented scale and at an unprecedented pace”.

Since last week, companies have been able to register their projects with GBN, after which they will compete for funding to develop them. According to the department, billions of pounds in public and private funding could go towards new small modular reactor (SMR) projects.

“Today, as we launch Great British Nuclear and the competition to develop cutting-edge small modular reactor technology, we are seeing the first brushstrokes of our nuclear renaissance,” said Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

GBN is also expected to play a key role in meeting the 2050 targets, with domestic nuclear power helping to ensure some of the lowest wholesale electricity prices in Europe while supporting the domestic labour market. Alongside support for modular reactor projects, the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing construction of the large conventional nuclear power plants Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. Together with GBN, it will assess the potential role of further large nuclear units in the country’s energy mix.

“Today’s announcement is also a major vote of confidence in the Sizewell C project, which will continue the transformation of British nuclear construction begun by Hinkley Point C,” said Julia Pyke, managing director of the Sizewell C project.

Millions of pounds for the development of advanced nuclear technologies

Alongside the establishment of the new government body, the UK government also unveiled a new grant package offering up to 157 million pounds for the development of nuclear technologies. Specifically, up to 77 million pounds will be set aside to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear technologies and support advanced nuclear projects as they enter the UK regulatory process, maximising the prospects for the future construction of small and advanced modular reactors.

Up to 58 million will be available for the development of advanced modular reactors (AMRs) and next-generation nuclear fuel. These advanced reactors are designed to operate at higher temperatures than conventional modular reactors, and their high-grade heat can be used to produce hydrogen or in industrial processes.

More than 22 million pounds will be allocated to eight specific projects to develop domestic nuclear fuel production. In addition to strengthening domestic energy security, this is intended to contribute to global efforts to develop alternatives to Russian nuclear fuel.