This funding forms a part of government’s wider commitment to double the UK’s energy innovation spend, so that by 2021 it will have doubled to more than £400 million per year.
It will cover five major areas of nuclear fission innovation, building on the recommendations set out by the Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Body (NIRAB).
This includes:
- £6 million towards maintaining the UK’s leading edge work on advanced nuclear fuels which could provide greater levels of efficiency.
- £5 million for research that underpins the development, safety and efficiency of the next generation of nuclear reactor designs.
- £5 million to develop the UK’s capability in materials, advanced manufacturing and modular build for the reactors of the future.
- £2 million to research fuel recycling processes that may reduce future environmental and financial burdens.
- £2 million to continue with the development of a suite of toolkits and underpinning data that will enhance government’s knowledge basis for future decision making in the nuclear sector, up to 2050.
Responding to the announcement, NIRAB chair Sue Ion said: “I am delighted that the business secretary Greg Clark has launched the first phase of a programme of cutting edge research and innovation into next generation nuclear technologies.
“This acts on government’s commitment to spend at least £250 million on an ambitious nuclear research and development programme over the next five years. It is a significant step forward for the UK in our drive to be a leading nation at the forefront of nuclear research.”
NuScale Power managing director for UK and Europe Tom Mundy said: “We welcome the government’s continued commitment to nuclear innovation and interest in the development of small modular reactor technology.
“We look forward to the progression of the government’s competition, which aims to identify the best value SMR design for the UK.”