Energy and industry minister Richard Harrington’s speech at the Nuclear Industry Association annual conference 2017. We want to build on the momentum created by Hinkley and we continue to work closely with EDF, CGN, Horizon and Nugen on their proposals for future plants. I also welcome the news that Toshiba has selected a preferred bidder for the Nugen project, and we now look forward to continuing to work with KEPCO to discuss their plans. At the other end of the fuel cycle, we continue to lead the way in waste and decommissioning and we are seeing the benefit of this at Sellafield. Today, our expertise across the nuclear sector is recognised throughout the world. We have to use this as a springboard. As the Industrial Strategy makes clear, we must build on the UK’s strengths to take advantage of the opportunities of the future. So I welcome today’s publication from the Nuclear Industry Council of proposals for a sector deal which sets out a number of steps to deliver on that potential. Boosting the competitiveness of the sector by driving down costs, while supporting high skilled, well paid jobs in regions across the United Kingdom.
Business Green 7th Dec 2017 read more »
BEIS 7th Dec 2017 read more »
The government has today unveiled a sweeping plan to drive the development of nuclear power across the UK, revealing new funding streams for small modular reactors and nuclear fusion alongside a list of potential sites for large nuclear power plants. A three-year funding package worth £56m has been earmarked for new advanced and small modular reactors (AMRs and SMRs), which the industry argues could be quicker and cheaper to build than traditional large nuclear power stations. An expert finance group will also be convened to advise how SMRs and AMRs can raise private finance for UK development. Meanwhile, the UK Atomic Energy Authority was awarded £86m to establish a centre for nuclear fusion research that will have “global significance”, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said. A further £8m is allocated for the second phase of the Nuclear Innovation programme to support study into advanced fuels and accelerate research into modern safety and security methods. Finally, a scoping report outlining potential sites for large new nuclear power stations – those with over 1GW of capacity – was released, naming Sellafield, Sizewell, Bradwell, Oldbury, Hartlepool and Heysham as potential locations. The announcements – trumpeted by BEIS as proof of “the government’s commitment to the nuclear innovations of the future” – represent a serious boost for the nuclear industry badly in need of clarity over the prospects for a new wave of development.
Business Green 7th Dec 2017 read more »
