The Nuclear Institute welcomes the publication of the Nuclear Roadmap which marks a clear ambition from the Government to make nuclear power a cornerstone of the UK’s Net Zero energy mix.
The roadmap offers some welcome details on how the UK Government intends to deliver the construction of up to 24GW of nuclear power capacity by 2050 and the role Great British Nuclear (GBN) will have in this.
The next twelve months will see key actions taken by Government that will lay the foundation of long-term strategy in the nuclear sector:
- Launch of Alternative Route to Market and siting consultations
- Publication of Nuclear Skills Taskforce report
- Publication of Nuclear Defence Command paper
- Publication of government response to Alternative Routes to Market and siting consultations
- Publication of draft nuclear NPS (EN-7) for consultation
- Announcement of successful vendors in SMR selection process
- Designation of new nuclear NPS (EN7)
- Targeted SZC FID
- Update on exploration of further large reactor
This includes a government ambition to secure 3 – 7GW worth of investment decisions every five years from 2030 to 2044 on new nuclear projects. An additional £10 million will be provided to develop the skills and sites needed to produce other advanced nuclear fuels in the UK.
Developing the nuclear workforce
As the membership body accountable for professional standards and development of those employed in the sector, the Nuclear Institute welcomes the roadmap as a key stepping stone towards significant growth of nuclear jobs in the UK.
Analysis by the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group suggests that to reach up to 24GW, the civil and defence nuclear workforce will need to double over the next 20 years. This would support around 80,000 additional skilled jobs across the UK.
The roadmap includes recognition of a “significant skills challenge (and opportunity for UK employment) with the nuclear new build programme”. The planned publication of the Nuclear Skills Taskforce report and Defence Nuclear Enterprise Command Paper, addressing shared challenges and opportunities across civil and defence will be particularly welcome in February. This report is likely to include plans for increasing the numbers of graduates and apprentices and attracting mid-careerists with relevant skills and expertise.
There is a huge opportunity to upskill future generations and create new, high-quality jobs across the UK; each large nuclear power station provides up to 10,000 construction jobs and 900 in operation and SMR deployment potentially provides up to 6000 jobs. Furthermore, on the defence side, the AUKUS partnership between the UK, USA and Australia is set to provide decades of work and tens of thousands of jobs at key sites in Derby and Barrow-in-Furness.
"I am delighted to see the publishing of the Nuclear Roadmap. It not only continues to provide a strong signal from government on nuclear, but reaffirms the only way to achieve carbon neutrality for energy whilst maintaining energy security is through nuclear as a significant part of the UK energy mix.
Reaching 24GW by 2050 is achievable but challenging and recognising the need to address the skills and capability challenges in enabling this is key. The Nuclear Institute, as the professional membership body for the sector, assists in creating this capability and we are proud to support our nuclear workforce in the years ahead.
Dr Fiona Rayment OBE FNucI, Nuclear Institute President
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:
“Nuclear is the perfect antidote to the energy challenges facing Britain - it’s green, cheaper in the long term and will ensure the UK’s energy security for the long-term.
“This will ensure our future energy security and create the jobs and skills we need to level up the country and grow our economy.”
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, said:
“We’re making the biggest investment in domestic nuclear energy in 70 years. Our £300 million plan to produce advanced nuclear fuel in the UK will supply nuclear plants at home and overseas.
“From large gigawatt projects to small modular reactors, the UK’s wider nuclear revival will quadruple our nuclear capacity by 2050 – helping to power Britain from Britain.”
Minister for Nuclear Andrew Bowie said:
“Our plans will give investors the confidence to back new UK projects, with a simpler process for locating new schemes and clear support for private sector companies developing innovative new technologies.
“By meeting a quarter of our electricity demand with nuclear, we will strengthen our energy independence, reduce bills and support jobs across the UK.”
Consultations Launched
Alongside the nuclear roadmap launch, two consultations have been launched, focused on:
The evidence received will help shape future policy and ensure that the UK’s nuclear programme is as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. The NI’s Policy Committee will now consider and formulate responses to these consultations on behalf of the membership body.