Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.) has joined MPs in urging a fast-paced rollout of prospective mini nuclear reactor technology in the UK.
The FTSE 100-listed 'power solutions' group responded to a report from parliament’s science committee calling for more detail from the government on the UK’s nuclear energy strategy.
“The report accurately reflects what the industry and Rolls-Royce have been calling for," the engineer told Proactive, namely "some pace on decision making'”.
Though the government has laid out ambitions to increase the UK’s nuclear capacity more than fourfold to 24GW by 2050, critics question how this will be done.
“The role of the recently launched Great British Nuclear is unclear beyond its initial task of running a selection between competing small modular reactor developers,” ministers said in Monday’s report.
The extent to which small modular reactors – like those being developed by Rolls-Royce – or more traditional Hinkley Point and Sizewell-type reactors will be used also poses questions.
Though traditional European pressurised reactors are more of a known quantity, delays and growing costs at Hinkley Point C have seen the industry’s focus turn to modularised alternatives, which can largely be built in factories.
“Rolls-Royce SMR can deliver affordable, low-carbon, always-on power with its homegrown nuclear technology,” the company continued.
“We welcome […] the route to a clear deployment plan which will provide clarity to the sector.”
A new nuclear skills task force was launched by the government on Tuesday, though its task of boosting the industry’s workforce will be no easy feat, according to the science committee.
The number of skilled workers in the sector may well have to increase from 65,000 currently, to over 200,000 if the UK is to achieve nuclear goals, the committee warned.