ICE response to ESNZ consultation on the future of the UK’s nuclear energy plans

The ICE has responded to the Energy Security and Net Zero committee’s consultation on the future of the nuclear roadmap to 2050 – the UK’s plans for investment in nuclear energy.

The context

The last 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.

This government has not re-committed to the roadmap or these targets. The final investment decision on the new large-scale nuclear plant at Sizewell C is expected in the coming months, as is the result of the previous government’s small modular reactor competition.

Amid this activity and uncertainty, the inquiry seeks to understand what the new government’s nuclear ambitions are and what the roadmap is to achieving them.

The inquiry

The committee asks five questions:

1. Is the government’s policy to reach 24GW by 2050 a credible one?
2. Should the government commit to a further large-scale reactor?
3. How is the government supporting the investment in and deployment of Advanced Modular Reactors?
4. How will future nuclear projects be financed?
5. How well are GB Nuclear, the Office of Nuclear Regulation and DESNZ co-ordinating to deliver new nuclear capacity?

The ICE’s view

It is the ICE’s position that many forms of low-carbon energy production will have a role to play in the net zero transition, from nuclear to wind, solar to tidal, hydropower to hydrogen, and all forms of energy storage, short and long term.

As many renewable energy technologies become ever more affordable, the government and policymakers will need to clearly articulate the role that nuclear will have in the UK’s energy generation mix.

Adequate environmental and safety protections will also need to be in place to ensure that the risks to the UK’s human, environmental and ecological health are not realised.

The government has work underway to support improvements to the planning and regulatory systems. But clarity is required as to the long-term pipeline of projects, and how they fit into the wider 10-year infrastructure strategy. This is to attract the levels of private investment required to finance this element of the net zero energy transition. Further public buy-in will also be required – an effort that will need to be led by the government.

The ICE has responded to each question in detail and provided a view on what the next steps are for the government in the below response.