Thank you for contacting me about Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear innovation.
SMRs have the potential to unlock greater efficiencies in the production process and provide cost-competitive nuclear power as early as the 2030s. Innovative manufacturing techniques and modular construction could mean that SMRs are faster to build than large-scale nuclear plants and are potentially suitable for deployment in a wider number of sites across the country.
Subject to technology readiness from industry, SMRs will form a key part of the nuclear project pipeline, as announced in the Energy Security Strategy. This strategy will see a significant acceleration of nuclear, with an ambition of up to 24GW by 2050 to come from this safe, clean, and reliable source of power. This would represent up to around 25 per cent of the UK's projected electricity demand.
The Government has announced that it will continue to progress work on key policy and market enablers, including finalising regulatory access, siting, and financing for SMRs.
A new body, Great British Nuclear, will bring forward new projects. The Government is also launching a £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund to provide targeted support as part of the Net Zero Strategy. The Government is working to progress a series of projects as soon as possible this decade, including Wylfa site in Anglesey. This could mean delivering up to eight reactors, equivalent to one reactor a year instead of one a decade.
Laying the groundwork for this acceleration, in May 2021, the UK Government declared the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) open to advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs, for the first time. The process allows the UK’s independent nuclear regulators to assess the safety, security and environmental implications of new reactor designs.
The Government is providing £210 million funding for Rolls-Royce to develop SMRs in the UK, matched by private investment of over £250 million. This funding will take forward phase 2 of the Low-Cost Nuclear project to further develop SMR design and take it through the regulatory processes to assess suitability of potential deployment in the UK. Rolls-Royce SMR have stated their intention to enter the GDA process shortly and the business could create up to 40,000 new jobs.
Further, the publication of the Energy White Paper and Ten Point Plan confirmed the Government’s commitment to investing further in the next generation of nuclear technology. The UK is investing millions into the nuclear industry, including up to £1.7 billion to bring at least one large-scale nuclear project to a final investment decision.
Supporting the development of the UK’s supply chain now will increase the UK’s chances of having indigenous expertise capable of leading the world in developing the nuclear technologies of the future, including SMRs and Advanced Modular Reactors, a global market estimated by some to be worth approximately £250 billion to £400 billion by 2035.
I have been reassured by ministerial colleagues that the Department for International Trade (DIT) recognises the export potential of UK manufactured SMRs. I understand DIT is providing support to industry in several countries to facilitate market entry and position them for success ahead of first production. In addition, the Government is also in discussions with industry about developing a more strategic “Whole of Government” approach to support overseas sales.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.