The UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has undertaken a strategic review to reassess the role of the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and identify how it can take forward programmes of national significance given the country’s renewed nuclear ambition.
Now to be known as the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) the laboratory will be the lead civil fission laboratory with a decade-long programme designed to underpin the regeneration of the UK’s nuclear sector. Since its creation 16 years ago the lab ensured the UK retained a national nuclear laboratory and its associated capabilities.
Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Lord Hunt, said: “We want to maximise the huge potential of our world-class research facilities to drive nuclear innovation, supporting our mission to become a clean energy superpower, with a new era of clean electricity. The UK National Nuclear Laboratory will play an essential role in supporting the UK’s nuclear programme – from the fuels we use to power reactors of the future, to safe and effective decommissioning of our nuclear legacy.”
Under the plans the reformed UKNNL will become a custodian of national capabilities and infrastructure critical for national and energy security and become the government’s lead civil technical and strategic advisor for nuclear fuels and nuclear materials. Among other roles the lab will also carry out research on the safe operation of nuclear plants domestically and internationally, deliver practical nuclear research and enable decommissioning programmes as well as provide expertise and facilities to be a platform for the private sector to accelerate the deployment of technology to market.
Commenting, Prof Paul Howarth, CEO of UKNNL said: “The Review is unequivocal about the value NNL has delivered and enabled over many years and the pivotal role we have played in securing the future of the industry. It has identified specific opportunities for improvement which we will address in order to achieve peak performance in the future.”
DESNZ will work in close partnership with UKNNL ensuring alignment with national policies and priorities and supporting the strengthening of strategic relationships with organisations, providing opportunities for improved delivery across the sector.
