Talks ‘Intensify’ About Public Funding For UK SMR Plans

7 Nov (NucNet): Talks have intensified in recent weeks between government officials and companies including Rolls-Royce, the UK engineering group, over potential public funding to support development of small modular reactors (SMRs), the Financial Times reported on 7 November 2017. Greg Clark, the business secretary, is keen to put the UK at the forefront of technology seen as a more affordable alternative to large-scale nuclear reactors such as those under construction at the £20bn (€22bn, $26bn) Hinkley Point C nuclear station in southwest England, the newspaper said. It said development of SMRs is regarded as crucial to the future of the nuclear industry as it finds ways to remain competitive against the falling cost of renewable wind and solar power. The UK faces competition from the US, Canada and China in its effort to establish a leading position in SMR technology. In September 2017 media reports said industry players including Rolls-Royce, NuScale, Hitachi and Westinghouse had held meetings with civil servants about nuclear strategy and the development of SMRs. In a report published on 12 September 2017, Rolls-Royce said SMRs could produce energy for as low as £60 per MWh, which is competitive against wind and solar and significantly lower than the £92.50 per MWh agreed by the government and project developer EDF for Hinkley Point C. Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the London-based Nuclear Industry Association , said with a potential global market for SMRs valued at £250bn-£400bn, the government must provide clarity if the energy, industrial and export opportunities of a UK SMR are to be realised.