The UK must adopt a regulated asset base model (RAB) to kickstart investment in nuclear development, or risk the country missing its target to be net zero by 2050, proponents of the financing mechanism say. A RAB model for financing could attract pension funds, insurance firms, sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure asset managers to shore up French utility EDF’s funds and carry a new nuclear project through to completion, industry experts told Montel. The UK’s plans to build new nuclear infrastructure in the country have stalled against a backdrop of political reticence to commit, spiralling costs associated with Hinkley Point C, which EDF is building, and the steady retreat of potential investors. “We’re looking at RAB to get [new nuclear] off the ground. Without RAB, it’s not going to happen,” said Juan Matthews, visiting professor at the Dalton Nuclear Institute and advisor to the UK Trade & Investment department on nuclear investment.
Montel 18th Jan 2021 read more »