Wednesday 18 November 2020

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) welcomes the announcement today by Prime Minster Boris Johnson of an ambitious Ten Point Plan to deliver a Green Industrial Revolution for the UK, as part of the pathway towards achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.  In particular, the continuing recognition that nuclear power has a central role to play in the UK’s future energy mix, through the continued use of large scale nuclear plants alongside the deployment of newer, smaller advanced designs.

NNL Chief Executive Officer, Paul Howarth, commented:

“We are delighted to see the Government’s announcement of continued recognition of the vital role nuclear power can play in meeting the UK’s future energy demand and delivering Net Zero by 2050. The significant new funding for nuclear – £525 million to help develop large and smaller-scale nuclear plants, and research and develop new advanced modular reactors – builds on existing research, under the BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) Energy Innovation Programme, which already includes important funding for advanced fuels and fuel cycles which we have led on behalf of Government. We look forward to hearing further details in the forthcoming Energy White Paper and to working with Government on taking forward these important new developments.

In addition to the delivery of huge quantities of clean, reliable power for homes, schools, hospitals and industry, nuclear power has the potential to support other elements of the Ten Point Plan such as low-carbon power for a massively increased programme of electric vehicles. Advanced nuclear technologies also offer tremendous potential for the large-scale production of hydrogen, which has once again been recognised as an important energy vector for Britain’s clean energy future.”