Alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects

This consultation seeks to examine what steps government can take to enable different routes to market for new advanced nuclear technologies. Government sees great national opportunities in the nuclear sector, and we are seeking responses to support us in developing the policies that will allow this industry to thrive.

This consultation is open to all, but we would like responses from the nuclear industry, including:

• technology vendors
• developers
• the supply chain
• industrial consumers of heat and power
• the whole spectrum of the public realm, including:
  • local communities
  • local government
  • devolved administrations
  • science
  • academia
  • financial sector
  • members of the public

We would particularly welcomes views from local communities.

Your responses will shape our approach to this crucial and potentially transformative part of our energy system, enabling government to put the right policies in place to ensure nuclear energy plays a key role in our net zero future.

Deep-dive workshops and Nuclear hackathon dates

Deep dive workshops

As part of the Alternative Routes to Market Consultation process, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is holding 4 deep dive workshops, one for each chapter in the consultation. 

Each workshop will include an introduction to consultation topics from policymakers in the Department, a Q&A session with an expert panel to provide insights on key issues, and problem-solving breakout sessions for all attendees.  

The Alternative Routes to Market consultation will help shape future policy, enabling government to build on our commitments in the Civil Nuclear Roadmap and put the right policies in place to ensure nuclear energy plays a key role in our net zero future. Don’t miss out on joining us at these events - your valuable input will be greatly appreciated.  

Email nuclearconsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk to register your interest in attending.

The deep-dive sessions will be held on the following dates and locations. We will send full details to confirmed attendees. 

Chapter 1: Exploring new uses - Tuesday 19 March, 10:00-15:00, Manchester

Expert panel members include: 

• Tris Denton – Director of Commercial Development, Moltex Flex
• Lincoln Hill – Director of Policy and External Affairs, Nuclear Industry Association
• An expert from National Nuclear Laboratory
• More to be confirmed

Chapter 3: Bringing projects to market - Thursday 21 March, 10:00-15:00, London

Expert panel members include: 

• Julia Pyke – Managing Director, Sizewell C
• Leonidas Papanikolaou – Senior Head of Bespoke & New Schemes, Low Carbon Contracts Company
• Helen Lister – Energy Transition and Decarbonisation Practice Lead, Infrastructure and Projects Authority
• Phil Adam – Head of Real Assets, Debt & Capital Advisory Financial Advisory, Deloitte

Chapter 2: Regulating advanced nuclear - Tuesday 26 March, 10:00-15:00, Manchester

Expert panel members include: 

• Tim Parkes – Head of Safety Regulation for Advanced Nuclear Technologies, Office for Nuclear Regulations
• Andy Mayall FSRP – New and Operational Nuclear Sites Manager, Environment Agency
• Dr Pauleen Lane CBE FICE PhD MBA BSc – Professional Lead for Infrastructure, The Planning Institute
• Lincoln Hill – Director of Policy and External Affairs, Nuclear Industry Association

Chapter 4: Supporting future technology - Thursday 28 March, 10:00-15:00, London

Expert panel members include: 

• Rich Deakin – Programme Director UK SMR Project, Innovate UK
• Simon Dilks – Head of Nuclear and Renewable Innovations, Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero
• Rebecca Haigh – AMR RD&D Lead, Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero
• An expert from Nuclear Innovation and Research Office
• An expert from National Nuclear Laboratory

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If sessions are oversubscribed, places will be limited to a maximum of 2 people per organisation. 

Nuclear hackathon

As part of the Alternative Routes to Market consultation, we are partnering with Policy Lab to deliver a Nuclear Hackathon – an event to explore how we can speed up the delivery of new nuclear projects while maintaining rigorous levels of nuclear safety, security, and environmental protection.

This one-day event will aim to identify opportunities for greater regulatory co-ordination and how this may lead to efficiencies in navigating regulatory pathways. Ministers will bring together diverse opinions and the expertise of regulators, industry, and beyond to scope potential solutions.

We are holding this interactive event in London on Tuesday 9 April 2024. We hope to have a diverse range of attendees including:

• industry professionals including nuclear professionals at the beginning of their career
• professionals with experience of other regulatory frameworks
• nuclear regulators
• service users

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Further information

See also:

• the Civil nuclear: roadmap to 2050
• consultation on Approach to siting new nuclear power stations beyond 2025

Read our consultation privacy notice.