An industrial strategy, developed by government and industry, has been published to enable the UK to seize the opportunities for economic growth in the nuclear industry. It covers the whole of the nuclear market – new build, waste management and decommissioning, fuel cycle services, operations and maintenance. 
Over the next two decades it is forecast that globally there will be £930bn investment in building new reactors and £250bn in decommissioning those that are coming off line. The nuclear industrial strategy sets out the basis for a long-term partnership between government and industry to exploit those opportunities.
The strategy is being overseen by a Nuclear Industry Council, co-chaired by ministers and industry and includes a wide range of commitments.
The results of a major review into research and development capability in the UK have also been published. The review has helped to shape the industrial strategy and was carried out by government, industry and academia, assisted by an Advisory Board chaired by Sir John Beddington, the government’s Chief Scientific Advisor. It was instigated in response to a House of Lords inquiry.
The Board’s recommendations recognise that nuclear power will continue to play an important role in the UK to 2050 and beyond and that a wide range of technologies may be required to meet the challenges of an expanded demand for nuclear power. Therefore, the Board recommended concrete action in a number of areas to ensure that technological options for nuclear power generation are kept open in the future. The industrial strategy forms a major part of the government’s response to these recommendations.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“The nuclear industry presents significant multi billion pound long-term opportunities for UK companies and for thousands of high value jobs. We have worked with industry on a plan for the future to ensure we are well placed to grasp those opportunities.”
Energy Secretary Edward Davey said:
“We need all our energy options in play in the fight against climate change, and to keep the lights on in a way that is affordable to consumers. Not just this decade, but to 2050 and beyond.”
Nuclear Industry Association Chairman, Lord Hutton said:
“I warmly welcome this Nuclear Industrial Strategy as evidence of the fruitful partnership between government and industry in setting the direction of travel for the UK to achieve its ambitions to be a leading nuclear nation.
“Having that clarity of vision and determination to succeed will help bring substantial rewards and benefits to the country’s energy, industrial and economic future, and provide the platform from which to showcase the industry’s qualities and capabilities to the rest of the world.”
Sir John Beddington, the government’s Chief Scientific Advisor said:
“I am convinced that nuclear power will play a pivotal role in the UK’s energy future. The requirement for nuclear power may exceed current plans for new build, perhaps substantially. It’s therefore crucial that we keep a wide range of technological options open so that we are able to meet this potential demand in a safe and sustainable manner. [The] announcements on R&D and on skills are the first steps in doing exactly that.”
