Mark Menzies MP has expressed his delight following today’s launch of Great British Nuclear, with the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero speaking at an event at the Science Museum. The launch is the latest step in the Government’s efforts to increase the role of nuclear power as part of the drive to reach net zero. UK Nuclear generation is currently at 6.5 GW, with the Government aiming to increase generation to 24GW by 2050, meeting 25% of the UK’s energy needs. Mr Menzies’ reacted to the Secretary of State’s words, commenting
“We all know how important it is that we diversify our energy supply, moving away from polluting sources purchased at great cost from foreign powers. Meeting Government energy targets, be they net-zero or increasing our self-provision and energy security, means backing our nuclear industry”
One of the first tasks for Great British Nuclear will be to stage a competition to design and deliver Small Modular Reactors (SMR), a technology which has the potential for a rapidly deployable and efficient fleet of reactors, inviting both domestic and international vendors to submit their designs. Speaking after the event, Mr Menzies said
“It is fantastic that we could well see eight new reactors launched between now and 2030, a welcome change from the one per decade currently being delivered. This shows the scale of ambition for the future of the nuclear industry in this country and the launch of Great British Nuclear is a major step to achieving this.”
“Not only is this development in nuclear energy good for the country, but we will see the benefits locally at Springfields. I want to see Fylde manufactured fuel supplying our future Small Modular Reactors, giving job security to Springfield’s nearly 800 existing workers and offering opportunities for this number to grow”
The Government has ambitious targets to see 95% of electricity produced via low carbon sources by 2030, and recently announced a £120 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (NFF) to investigate new opportunities and support this goal. Site owners Westinghouse today confirmed that Springfields will benefit from grants worth a total of £11 million via the NFF, with match funding taking total investment to £22 million of public-private money to ensure the site is ready to fuel the next generation of reactors.
“Here in Fylde, we have been playing our part in the UK’s nuclear story for over 75 years. We have already seen Springfields benefit from the Government’s Nuclear Fuel Fund, helping the site bridge the current drop in demand.
Now, with a pipeline of SMR and Gigawatt scale projects in the pipeline we can look forward to seeing the site and its workforce thrive for decades to come”