IET response: Government announcement to make it easier to build nuclear reactors

Professor Peter Bannister, Chair of the IET’s Sustainability and Net Zero Policy Centre, said:
“Implementing proposals aimed at removing barriers to SMR projects across all of the UK is an important step forward to reaching our Net Zero targets. If these changes are implemented effectively, they can support the building of an independent, secure, and resilient clean energy system aiding critical modern infrastructure, such as supercomputers and AI data centres.

“However, SMRs must be built in an efficient and safety conscious way to ensure both public support and value for money. This must include a detailed development and site assessment and harmony with the Energy Act 2023. The Government must take a full system view of the wider energy system ensuring that the new SMR sites are assessed according to their role within the overall energy system, environmental impact, and security of supply.

“Building energy infrastructure in the UK remains a huge challenge for the Government. The implementation of alternative energy sources such as nuclear will play a vital part in that, and we look forward to working closely with the Government to ensure that is done so in the most efficient, cost effective, and safest way possible.”

Will Davis Member of the IET’s Sustainability and Net Zero Policy Centre said:
“It is good that the Government are putting plans in place to get SMRs built quicker. However, the announcement needs to be backed up with further information about the actual changes which will be made to regulations and also the impact this will have for projects to build larger power stations, such as the proposed Sizewell C.

"I look forward to reviewing the detail of the proposed planning reforms and seeing the scope of the nuclear regulatory taskforce. Building new nuclear power stations is vital to delivering the UK’s clean power goals, but they must be delivered without reducing public safety and protections for the environment.”