Nuclear Energy 'Vital' Says Committee

A House of Lords Committee on nuclear power has said that investment in the technology is "vital" to ensue the UK keeps the nuclear energy options open.

In its report published on Monday, the Government was accused of being "too complacent" about the UK's nuclear research and development capabilities, and associated expertise, which will be lost unless "there is a fundamental change in the Government’s approach", the committee claimed.

This is just one of the conclusions of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee.

The Committee's key recommendations include the development of a long-term strategy for nuclear energy for beyond 2025, outlining support for research and development and for the commercial exploitation of the UK’s current strengths in nuclear research.

The committee also called for the establishment of an Nuclear R&D Board, made up of industry, academic and government partners, to develop and implement the research findings and help to improve the co-ordination of activities to protect vulnerable areas of research and "close gaps in capabilities".

Committee Chairman, Lord Krebs, said: "Many of the UK's experts in R&D on nuclear energy are nearing retirement age. The UK's expertise was built on past investments in research and a lack of investment over the last two decades means that the UK is now in danger of losing this expertise. As a result we are in danger of placing ourselves in a position where we will be unable to ensure a safe and secure supply of nuclear energy up to 2050.

"Government have stated that nuclear energy will play an important role in the electricity supply in the future. If the Government are serious about this commitment, they must take steps now to ensure that there is a new generation of experts, together with R&D, on which the nuclear industry, Government and the regulator rely. Without action now, in our view, the Government’s nuclear energy policy simply lacks credibility."

(DW)