Civils contractors today welcomed the announcement of the foundation of Great British Nuclear (GBN) in the Chancellor’s 2023 Budget and said that it must herald ‘a new era’ for the sector.
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told Parliament that the Government would launch the body to address constraints in the nuclear market and support new nuclear builds.
As part of this, GBN will launch the first staged competition for Small Modular Reactors, due to be completed by the end of this year, and if the technology is demonstrated to be viable, will co-fund it in the UK.
Further large-scale nuclear projects will also be considered by GBN subject to value for money, relevant approvals and technology readiness.
Commenting, Director of Operations for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Marie-Claude Hemming said: “Today’s announcement of the creation of Great British Nuclear will encourage private sector investment and is good news for industry.
“For too long the UK has been faced with an urgent need to establish the secure, net-zero energy sector we will need for the 21st century.
“CECA has consistently argued that new nuclear power must be part of the mixed portfolio of generation the country needs to keep the lights on and create a sustainable, low-carbon future.
“The foundation of Great British Nuclear must herald a new era in which the ambition of delivering new nuclear generation translates from words to action.
“We welcome the Government’s ambitions to support this critical green industry in the UK, and look forward to working with our members and other stakeholders to translate the vision of a new nuclear future into the reality of sustainable, reliable, and home-grown electricity for generations to come.”
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PRESS RELEASE – CECA – Great British Nuclear Must Herald New Era For Sector – Immed. 15 March 2023