UK’s nuclear technology sector to step up with £170m gas reactor plans

Government ministers are considering high temperature gas reactors (HTGRs) as part of its £170m Advanced Modular Reactor Demonstration Programme.

Today’s step builds on the commitment made in the Energy White Paper and the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for £170m of investment in an R&D programme for Advanced Modular Reactors, as part of a £385m package to accelerate the development of more flexible nuclear technologies.

Minister of state for energy, Anne Marie Trevelyan, commented: “While renewables like wind and solar will become an integral part of where our electricity will come from by 2050, they will always require a stable low-carbon baseload from nuclear.

“That is why, alongside negotiations with the developers of Sizewell C in Suffolk, we are pressing ahead with harnessing new and exciting advanced nuclear technology.

“Advanced modular reactors are the next level of modern nuclear technology and have the potential to play a crucial role not only in tackling carbon emissions, but also in powering industry and driving forward Britain’s economic growth, as we build back greener.”

Fellow at the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, Dame Sue Ion, added: “This proposal is extremely welcome news and demonstrates the tremendous potential of advanced nuclear power, which could be expanded safely to improve the overall efficiency of our energy system, but also help decarbonize difficult to help heavy industry, to help meet the UK’s net-zero goal.”