Going Nuclear: Parliamentarians welcome roadmap for new energy mix

27 Feb 2023

Policy@Manchester's publication ‘Going Nuclear’ has been highlighted by a number of MPs and Lords

The publication comes at a crucial time when there is an impetus to develop nuclear energy as an essential part of the UK’s energy mix. This major new resource for UK policymakers has now set out some of the new steps that will build a new nuclear future for the nation.

Conservative MP Virginia Crosbie who Chairs the Nuclear Delivery Group and the APPG for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) hopes that the new collection of articles can accelerate the development of the next generation of reactors to replace the UK’s ageing nuclear infrastructure.  

“Nuclear power has been part of the backbone of generating clean and reliable power in the UK since the late 1950s and early 1960s,” Crosbie tells The House. “In the last few years, this valuable contributor to net zero and our energy security has declined as aged stations are retired at the end of a long and useful life.”

The research papers have also been welcomed by Virginia Crosbie MP who recognises the importance of a robust evidence base to underpin major investment decisions by government and others.

“New nuclear is essential if we are to achieve our Net Zero goals by helping to decarbonise not just the energy generating sectors, but transport and homes too,” she tells The House. “Equipping policymakers with the evidence and recommendations to push forward with new nuclear power is key to ensuring we retain a clean, safe and prosperous United Kingdom.”

Not only can the planned expansion of nuclear energy protect the nation against shocks in the global energy market by increasing self-sufficiency, but as Crosbie suggests, it can also be a critical part of the transition to a Net Zero economy.

Fellow member of the Nuclear Energy APPG, Mark Menzies MP, added: “The United Kingdom remains reliant on foreign powers and environmentally damaging sources for our energy needs. We have a chance to change this, ending our exposure to price shocks and outside events.

“Only through commissioning large-scale nuclear projects and embracing new technologies like SMR can we hope to achieve net zero by 2050. For high skilled, well paid jobs, and a resilient path to Net Zero, investment in next generation nuclear is a must.”

Echoing the potential of ‘Going Nuclear’ to make a vital contribution to the policy debate was Peter Aldous MP, who said: “Nuclear offers a readily available low-carbon baseload for our future energy system when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing.

"Initiatives such as 'Going Nuclear' can provide policy makers with the evidence and recommendations required to realise the UK’s nuclear energy capability and I commend everyone involved in this important work.”

Find out more:

• Policy@Manchester’s new digital publication 'Going Nuclear' is a collection of thought leadership pieces from Dalton Nuclear Institute experts.
• Through their Policy@Manchester articles Dalton Nuclear Institute academics explore the actions needed to ensure nuclear energy plays a key part in Net Zero aims. The evidence-based recommendations in this collection address energy security, affordability, skills and training, and crucially, specific near and long-term measures government can take.