UK signs with GIF

1 March 2005

A 'Framework Agreement on International Collaboration in Research and Development on Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems (GIF)' was signed yesterday by the UK, Canada, France, Japan, and United States.

The new Agreement will facilitate the start of an international collaborative effort to research advanced nuclear reactor systems for deployment from around 2030.

The GIF partners have identified six next generation technologies for development including: the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor; the Sodium Fast Reactor; the Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor; the Molten Salt Reactor; the Supercritical Water Reactor; and the Very High Temperature Reactor.  The last technology concept forms the basis of the US research program to develop an ultra-safe, economic nuclear system that will be designed to produce electricity and hydrogen with substantially less waste and without emitting air pollutants or greenhouse gases.

The UK's participation is in line with Government policy on keeping the nuclear option open over the longer term, as set out in the Energy White Paper, February 2003.

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