Government needs Nuclear Strategic Plan to deliver 24GW by 2050

The Committee noted that the 24GW target is almost double the highest installed nuclear capacity the UK has ever achieved and would involve new gigawatt-scale nuclear power, small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs), and further development of nuclear fusion. To achieve this, substantial progress will be needed on technologies, financing, skills, regulation, decommissioning and waste management.

According to the report, the government target does not equate to strategy and its aspiration to deploy a new nuclear reactor every year is more of a ‘wish list’ than a detailed and specific plan. Similarly, the purpose of launched Great British Nuclear is unclear beyond its initial task of running a selection between competing SMR developers.

On SMRs, a Nuclear Strategic Plan should address suppliers (single or multiple), suitable sites, and the financial model used to pay for them. Each of these questions will require a clear answer if vendors are to be able to take decisions on whether and when to take the next steps towards deploying SMRs, the report said.