The previous 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.
Witnesses to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s 2023 inquiry on delivering nuclear power described the 24GW and building goals as more of a “wish list” than a strategy to achieve those ambitions.
The new Government has not re-committed to the roadmap or these targets.
The final investment decision to greenlight the new large-scale nuclear plant at Sizewell C is expected in the coming months. The result of the previous government’s small modular reactor competition is also due to be announced soon.
This inquiry seeks to understand what the new Government’s nuclear ambitions are and what the roadmap is to achieving them.