Martin is supporting a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister regarding nuclear energy, calling on the government to accelerate the rebuilding of our nuclear energy sector.
The letter states that nuclear provides clean power and energy security, freeing us from dependency on imported fossil fuels. However, Britain has not completed a nuclear power station this century, leaving us behind other countries, including France, which has consistently invested in nuclear energy. This has resulted in British families paying 57% more for their electricity than French families. Moreover, British industry pays 144% more for its electricity than French industry. Likewise, many other countries are rapidly growing their nuclear sectors, leaving our nation behind.
As such, the letter calls for the following asks from Government:
1 – demonstrably accelerate the current projects at Hinkley and Sizewell
2 – take decisions on the design for the following generation of nuclear power stations
3 - Create a University of Nuclear Engineering to ensure that we have the best skills in the world
4 - Support research projects which could transform the future of nuclear energy
5 - Provide regulations and market mechanisms to support Advanced Modular Reactors & Small Modular Reactors alongside traditional electricity generation.
Martin adds, “Nuclear generation is free of emissions and only if we embrace projects to develop nuclear energy can we compete internationally, create jobs and save jobs in energy intensive industries such as steel production.”
