Today the Government has published its Energy White Paper setting out ambitious plans to clean up the country’s energy system, support up to 220,000 British jobs, and keep bills affordable, all part of the transition to net zero by 2050.
The paper builds on the Prime Minister's Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, and details the specific steps the Government will take over the next decade to cut emissions from industry, transport, and buildings by 230 million metric tonnes - equivalent to taking 7.5 million petrol cars off the road permanently - while supporting many thousands of new green jobs.
In the paper, the Government pledges to continue to engage with developers in the UK's new nuclear market as well as creating a £385 million Advanced Nuclear Fund to support the development of Small Modular Reactors and to support research and development into more advanced nuclear technologies, such as advanced modular reactors.
Trudy, Co-chair of the Nuclear Delivery Group and APPG for Nuclear Energy, said: “The Energy White Paper sets an ambitious direction today for a revolution, with a massive focus on nuclear power. And, for us in Cumbria, this is brilliant because it's what provides thousands of highly skilled jobs in our area.
“Since the 1940s Copeland has led the way and if I have my way, we'll be leading this renaissance once again, with a Rolls-Royce 440mw reactor on or adjacent to the Sellafield site on NDA owned land.
"But we will also focus on the research and development of the next generation of advanced reactors with the National Nuclear Laboratory, and we'll enjoy the spin off industries like robotics and remotely operated vehicles in existing and new companies in our towns like Cleator Moor and Egremont.