SPECIAL REPORT | FINDING NEW SITES
Above: Theddlethorpe in Lincolnshire was a potential location for a deep geological radioactive waste repository Source: Visit Lincolnshire
● Three were near internationally designated ecological zones, which could require mitigations;
● Two had complex make-up water cooling flows; ● All would require indirect cooling, with less favourable plant economics than direct cooling water.
Following a detailed comparative appraisal, two sites were selected as the Midlands’ most strategic, near- term opportunities and a detailed appraisal process was undertaken for these. The detailed appraisal phase built upon this initial
evaluation and expanded the level of assessment considerably to develop a robust understanding of each site’s true potential and challenges, the scope of which
included: ● A site-specific assessment, identifying any caveats or limitations affecting development feasibility;
● Precise location and boundary definition; ● Confirmation of total available site size;
● Site history and legacy industrial uses; ● Commentary and qualification against the planning siting criteria;
● Estimation of the site’s electrical generating capacity potential and identification of any constraints, including land area or cooling water limitations;
● An assessment of the number of reactor units the site could support, with appropriate space allowances for construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning;
● Environmental and planning considerations, including flood risk analysis, potential impacts from coastal processes (where relevant), proximity to hazardous facilities, civil aviation activities, military activities, and proximity to internationally and nationally designated ecological or heritage sites;
● Mitigations required on the sites; ● Potential effects on areas of landscape, cultural, or
recreational value, access to reliable cooling water sources, and any economic challenges that could impact site development.
Finally, a summary assessment was produced for each site, highlighting the distinctive characteristics that made these sites stand out as the Midlands’ most strategic opportunities for early, investor-ready nuclear development. Midlands Nuclear did not reveal the sites reviewed, because any process of local engagement for nuclear development has to be carefully planned by the development consortium engaged in the project. But to make the region attractive site for nuclear, the report calls
on Midland authorities to: ● Engage with national system operators to align nuclear plans with plans for national energy infrastructure
● Develop a Midlands nuclear supply chain strategy, including capability mapping, SME engagement programmes, nuclear certification readiness support, supplier development initiatives and signposting of forthcoming contract opportunities.
Above: With cities like Nottingham, the Midlands needs increasing amounts of power for electrifying sectors such as logistics Photo credit: Multishooter/
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28 | August 2025 |
www.neimagazine.com
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