UK think tank calls for clarity on nuclear reactor technology roadmap to support nuclear expansion

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 8, 2026, UK think tank Policy Exchange released a white paper stating that the British government needs to more clearly articulate which nuclear reactor technologies it will rely on to advance its so-called nuclear "golden age," and to strengthen supply chains and achieve economies of scale through batch construction.

Policy Exchange's Nuclear Enterprise Council is composed of experts from government, industry, and academia. The Council believes that the UK's civil nuclear strategy is at a critical juncture, and related decisions will shape the country's energy system for decades to come.

The white paper notes that given new small modular reactor technologies remain at an early stage of development, the British government should retain the option of building another large-scale nuclear power plant before 2030. At the same time, the UK possesses credible domestic developers and a strong manufacturing base capable of supporting the development of a small modular reactor program, but the program needs to reach sufficient scale to compete internationally and be economically viable.

The Council argues that the British government must clarify which technologies are best suited to the country's needs, while recognizing that other major economies are advancing nuclear programs with greater coordination and batch construction models. The white paper states that if the UK adopts a "let a hundred flowers bloom" approach, it could undermine the practical benefits of innovation-driven cost reduction.

The white paper recommends that the British government commit to a batch construction approach for new nuclear technologies and set out in its revised deployment plan the key technology choices it believes can support this approach.

According to data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UK currently has 9 commercial nuclear power plants, generating approximately 11% of the country's total electricity. Apart from the Sizewell B nuclear power station, which was recently granted an extension to operate until 2055, the UK's existing nuclear units are expected to be phased out by 2030. The UK also plans to build two new units at Sizewell C, while two units at Hinkley Point C are under construction.

The British government has proposed increasing nuclear power capacity to 24 gigawatts by 2050—roughly four times current levels—with small modular reactors forming part of the strategy to achieve this goal.

The Council notes that there is currently a wide range of reactor designs, but with significant differences in maturity, fuel requirements, supply chain conditions, and industrial impacts. For the white paper, this presents the UK with a "choice problem," not an automatic solution to its nuclear deployment challenges.

The white paper argues that high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and molten salt reactors align well with the UK's industrial decarbonization goals. However, the Council cautions that the UK may fall behind countries that have already invested in demonstration projects. To address this risk, the UK needs to propose a more focused program and participate in shaping global standards through regulatory innovation and R&D funding support.

The white paper also states that advanced fast neutron reactors hold long-term strategic value for the UK. The UK possesses a substantial plutonium stockpile, and fast neutron reactors could offer a pathway to convert related waste into usable fuel while reducing the burden of waste disposal. However, the UK needs to assess its own tolerance for the associated risks.

The Council states that fast neutron reactors require significant venture capital and demand higher levels of international cooperation. The UK must decide whether to treat them as a national strategic asset or rely on international partners to provide future fuel cycle solutions.

The white paper also recommends that the British government reconsider its international and diplomatic engagement on nuclear energy in order to influence global supply chains, fuel markets, and international standards. Additionally, the government needs to examine how to provide financing arrangements to unlock private sector investment.