The previous Government published Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to
2050 in January 2024.
The roadmap committed to building a further large-scale reactor;
delivering 3-7GW more of nuclear power every five years from
2030-2044; reaching 24GW of nuclear power on the grid by 2050 and
developing government policy to support advanced nuclear
technologies like Small Modular Reactors.
Witnesses to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's
2023 inquiry on delivering nuclear
power described the 24GW and building goals as more of a
“wish list” than a strategy to achieve those ambitions.
The new Government has not re-committed to the roadmap or these
targets. The final investment decision to greenlight the new
large-scale nuclear plant at Sizewell C is expected in the coming
months. The result of the previous government's small
modular reactor competition is also due to be announced soon.
This inquiry seeks to understand what the new Government's
nuclear ambitions are and what the roadmap is to achieving them.
The Committee is now inviting submissions on any
or all of the following questions by April 6:
- Is 24GW by 2050 a credible plan?
- Should the Government commit to a further large-scale
reactor?
- How is the Government supporting investment in and the
deployment of Small Modular and Advanced Modular Reactors?
- How will future nuclear projects be financed?
- How well are GB Nuclear, the Office of Nuclear Regulation and
DESNZ co-ordinating to deliver new nuclear capacity?
