FIRE SAFETY SUPPLY CHAIN | COMMENTARY
Catalysing nucIear growth
If the nuclear industry is to have any hope of making good on its ambition to triple capacity by 2050 there are some fundamental obstacles that must be overcome in order to develop a suitable supply chain. Regulatory reform and supply chain innovation will be key to the future of nuclear generation.
By Howard Johnson, Managing Director, and Ann Johnson, Business Development Director, Blaze Manufacturing
WE STAND AT A PIVOTAL moment in energy transition. The nuclear industry is tasked with a challenge that is both daunting and exhilarating: to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050. This means constructing hundreds of new reactors – an ambitious target that will require not just technological innovation, but a rethinking of regulatory frameworks, supply chain integration and workforce development. For nuclear to fulfil its potential in the energy transition,
innovation must extend beyond reactor design to encompass the entire ecosystem of nuclear development. The UK is one of many nations that is already taking bold steps to enable this change. Early in 2024 the country launched its Civil Nuclear Roadmap and announced reforms designed to streamline regulatory processes and encourage international collaboration. Bold action now will determine whether nuclear can truly deliver on its promise as a cornerstone of the global energy transition. Nuclear energy’s unique attributes make it indispensable in the journey to net zero and a versatile contributor to the low-carbon economy. It also represents an opportunity
for economic growth. Nuclear new build projects are set to create thousands of jobs while revitalising domestic supply chains. However, scaling up to meet future energy needs will require significant investment in both infrastructure and regulatory support. Ambitious targets for growth in nuclear generation
will require a substantial acceleration in the pace of development – far exceeding the timelines we’ve seen in the past. To put it in perspective, the construction of even a single reactor can currently take far more than a decade, and the industry also faces the challenge of scaling a supply chain that has seen limited activity for years. Regulatory reform will be key to achieving this
acceleration. Streamlining planning approvals, introducing more flexible financing mechanisms like the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model, and adopting international standards for reactor design certification could dramatically reduce project timelines and costs. But regulatory reform and better decision making must go beyond the nuclear island if nuclear is to play its role in a low carbon future.
Above: Traditional fire containment methods may not align seamlessly with emerging nuclear technologies like SMRs
www.neimagazine.com | January 2025 | 39
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