COMMENTARY | A STORY OF INNOVATION
A story of progress and innovation
Over the last 70 years nuclear energy has been a story of innovation, resilience and, at times, missed opportunity. Today nuclear is an industry at the centre of the strategic debate about how we meet rising demand while delivering net zero.
By Tom Greatrex, CEO, Nuclear Industry Association
SEVENTY YEARS ON, Nuclear Engineering International marks more than an anniversary. It reflects the continued importance of an industry at the centre of today’s energy challenges. Since the 1950s, nuclear has been a story of innovation, resilience and, at times, missed opportunity. In those early years, nuclear power represented both
technological progress and national ambition. The UK was at the forefront. Calder Hall, opened in 1956, was the world’s first commercial nuclear power station, demonstrating what was possible when government, industry and science aligned behind a common goal. Those early designs were innovative and developed in a rapidly evolving regulatory and technical environment. They established the foundations of a global industry. Over time, that industry has matured significantly. Reactor designs have become more standardised, operational performance has improved, and safety frameworks have strengthened beyond recognition. Progress has not always been straightforward, and events in the industry’s history have had profound impacts on public confidence and regulatory approaches. They also drove lasting improvements in safety culture, transparency and international collaboration. Public attitudes have also evolved. Periods of scepticism
have given way to a more balanced and increasingly positive reassessment. That shift is now accelerating, shaped by global events that have brought energy security and resilience back into sharp focus. As the realities have become clearer, nuclear’s value is impossible to ignore. It provides firm, low-carbon power, strengthens system resilience and reduces exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. The UK continues to play a leading role. From early
reactor programmes to today’s expertise in operations, decommissioning and fuel services, our industry remains a global contributor. Yet one lesson from our own history is
particularly striking. The barriers to progress have rarely been technical. More often, they have been political. Sizewell B was once intended to be part of a fleet of new stations, not a single project delivered in isolation. That ambition was not sustained, and the result has been decades of stop-start development. Today, projects such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C show what can be achieved with sustained commitment, while the UK is also positioning itself at the forefront of small modular reactors and advanced technologies. The message is clear: Long-term planning and consistent policy are as important as engineering excellence if we are to deliver at scale. This is not just about energy. It is about jobs, industrial capability and long-term economic value across the country. That context is critical today. Nuclear energy is once again
central to the strategic debate about how we meet rising demand while delivering net zero. The case is clear: Without new nuclear, the transition will be more difficult, more costly and less secure. Alongside renewables, nuclear provides the firm capacity needed to keep the system stable and to support wider decarbonisation. This is not just a UK conversation. Internationally, sentiment is shifting decisively. Our research shows that 87% of the world’s economy now supports new nuclear power, compared to just 5.5% pursuing phase-out policies. The next phase of nuclear development will look different.
Small modular reactors, including deployment at Wylfa, and advanced designs offer the potential for faster deployment, greater flexibility and broader application. But technology alone will not determine success. Delivery will depend on sustained investment, long-term policy certainty and a clear commitment from government to maintain momentum. Just as importantly, it will require continued investment in skills to ensure we have the workforce needed to build and operate the next generation of projects. As we reflect on the past seventy years, one lesson stands out. The nuclear industry succeeds when there is alignment between ambition, policy and delivery. That remains true today. The challenges we face, including decarbonisation, energy security and economic resilience, are urgent, but they are also an opportunity for nuclear to demonstrate its full value. Nuclear Engineering International has documented this
Queen Elizabeth II opens Calder Hall power station. Source: ANS
70 | April 2026 |
www.neimagazine.com
story from the beginning, capturing both the progress and the debate that have shaped our sector. The task now is to build on that legacy. With the right decisions, and the same clarity of purpose that defined those early years, nuclear can play an even greater role in the decades ahead, supporting clean growth, strengthening energy security and delivering for communities across the UK and beyond. ■
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