Rapidly publish a new siting strategy for nuclear energy and update National Policy Statements to make them suitable for SMRs

  • Action 18

    18

    Answer

    Set up Great British Nuclear (GBN) immediately in a limited form, in order to publish a new siting strategy for new nuclear projects. Delays to GBN due to wider questions around project financing should not be allowed to become a barrier to developers scoping out potential sites and engaging local communities.

  • Action 19

    19

    Answer

    The National Policy Statement for Nuclear should make clear that SMR and AMRs would be acceptable on any existing nuclear site or site previously deemed suitable for nuclear. Additionally, the NPS should endorse that many disused coal power stations or industrial sites could be repurposed into SMRs and so should benefit from the same policy support.

  • Action 20

    20

    Answer

    The National Policy Statement for Nuclear should also emphasise the need for standardisation in SMR design to make sure current policy tests around alternatives and good design do not slow the rapid and programmatic build-out of fleets.