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The Government’s Nuclear Industry Strategy was announced at the same time as a report from an ad hoc Nuclear R&D Advisory Board, under the leadership of Chief Scientist Sir John Beddington, which looked at the implications for R&D of a wide range of nuclear futures.
Dame Sue Ion, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“The nuclear strategy published today is both important and unique. Unique in that for the first time in several decades, the two departments of Government with policy responsibility for the energy sector are aligned and have made strenuous efforts to ensure that the views of a wide range of industry, academia, National Lab and individual experts have been taken into account.
“The strategy recognises that there are significant opportunities for companies in the UK supply chain to gain a foothold and begin to make their marks on the global stage in the first wave of new nuclear power stations. However it also recognises that key investments in engineering development will have to be made to pave the way for success.
“The strategy also recognises that UK will need to plan for nuclear energy to continue to play a significant role in the UK’s energy mix through to 2050 and beyond. This means ensuring appropriate investments are made in the fuel cycle as well as in next generation reactor technology including small modular reactors.”