Elizabeth Reed (MA 2024) graduated in Geography and works at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. She’s also a parliamentary influencer for the Next Gen Nuclear Industry Council. Here, Elizabeth discusses the importance of the sector, and the public perception of nuclear energy, which remains a key barrier to progress.
We are living through a global energy crisis. Rising power costs, insecure supply chains, and constrained generation capacity are placing immense pressure on governments, businesses, and communities. Recent geopolitical conflicts – most notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – have exposed the fragility of fossil fuel dependency and underscored the urgent need for a more sustainable and secure energy future.
The exponential rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is also reshaping energy demand. Data centres supporting AI require vast and continuous power inputs. While AI offers transformative benefits across sectors, its integration into nuclear systems is currently constrained by cybersecurity concerns.
Amid these intersecting pressures, innovation in nuclear energy has been both rapid and remarkable. Over the past decade, modern nuclear technologies have advanced to become significantly safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. As a result, the risks traditionally associated with nuclear power have diminished substantially. Today, the probability of accidents or malicious attacks is considerably lower than that posed by many widely accepted industrial activities. Through its quiet evolution, nuclear energy now stands poised to underpin a new era of industrial progress.
Understanding nuclear energy
Crucially, nuclear power emits no carbon dioxide, particulate matter, or nitrogen and sulphur oxides during operation. Its fuel efficiency is extraordinary with a single uranium fuel pellet – producing 17 million British Thermal Units (BTU) and making it critical in achieving the UK’s net zero targets by 2050. Moreover, advancements in nuclear technology are yielding secondary benefits across other domains, including medical diagnostics, and advanced space exploration, an area in which nuclear and aerospace technologies are becoming increasingly intertwined. Unlike intermittent renewables such as wind and solar, nuclear offers reliable baseload power that can operate at scale and can be used for diverse applications.
A growing industry: national and international momentum
Investment in nuclear energy is rising worldwide. In the UK, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) increased its budget to £3.76 billion in 2022–2023, reflecting strong governmental commitment. Campaigns such as ‘If you can do it, you can do it nuclear’ are encouraging young professionals to pursue careers in this evolving field. However, challenges remain: the NDA is currently experiencing a talent shortfall, losing staff faster than they can be replaced. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity, particularly for early-career professionals seeking meaningful work in an essential sector.
Among the most promising technological developments is the Small Modular Reactor (SMR). Rolls-Royce has been selected by Great British Nuclear as the lead partner in SMR deployment. SMRs have the potential to transform clean energy delivery by offering siting flexibility, increased efficiency, and enhanced energy security, particularly relevant in a densely populated countries such as the UK. These compact, factory-built reactors can power individual towns or industrial clusters independently, improving resilience and reducing reliance on national grids.
Britain’s nuclear heritage and future trajectory
The UK has a distinguished nuclear legacy. Calder Hall, which opened in 1956, was the world’s first commercial nuclear power station. During the Cold War, civil and military nuclear programmes expanded, but concerns over cost, safety, and waste led to a slowdown in the late 20th century. Many early reactors have since been decommissioned.
Today, the landscape is shifting. Government backing for large-scale projects, such as Hinkley Point C, and support for next-generation technologies like SMRs are revitalising the sector. National policies, including the forthcoming Energy National Policy Statement (EN-7), aim to streamline approval processes for advanced nuclear technologies.
Simultaneously, the UK is heavily investing in fusion research. Programmes such as the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) are designed to place the UK at the forefront of global energy innovation. Nevertheless, a key barrier to progress remains public perception. Nuclear energy continues to be misunderstood, with outdated associations to risk and catastrophe dominating. In reality, today’s nuclear sector is built upon decades of research that have significantly improved safety, waste management, and operational transparency. Changing public perception is essential, not only to gain societal acceptance but also to attract and inspire the next generation of nuclear professionals.
Nuclear on the international stage
Globally, nuclear energy is expanding at pace. Leading nations include the United States, France, Russia, China, South Korea, and Japan. At COP28, over 20 countries, including the UK and France, pledged to triple their nuclear energy capacity by 2050, solidifying nuclear’s role in meeting global climate objectives. The international nuclear ecosystem is one of cooperation. Technologies are shared, expertise are exchanged, and advancements in one country benefit the rest. When the UK strengthens its nuclear capabilities, it contributes not only to national resilience, but to global energy security and scientific progress as well.