Speaking at the Nuclear Industry Association's Nuclear 2024 conference Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, described nuclear energy as having “a crucial role to play in powering Britain’s clean energy future”.

He continued: “Our goal of clean power by 2030 (now reduced to 95 per cent, see Kier Starmer’s Pinewood speech) is a recognition of this but merely the first staging post on that journey…in that context, we need all the power sources at our disposal, and nuclear has an essential role to play in the future age of clean electricity.”

Miliband also used the term ‘homegrown electricity’ which might hint at giving contracts to UK companies.

He acknowledged that nuclear had been, and still was, a “controversial position, with parts of the environmental movement deeply opposed to nuclear” but that the balance had shifted to a majority view that in comparison to the energy security and climate threats it was a preferable alternative.

Shortly the Government will publish its response to the National Energy System Operator (NESO) report on the UK’s energy future, the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, and from that it will set out plans for the energy systems into the 2030s.

However, Miliband is convinced of the power of nuclear energy, citing both Sizewell C and SMRs in his speech as future developments.

Both still need to meet final approval, a decision on Sizewell C will be taken at the Spending Review and the SMR competition will be completed in Spring.

Miliband added: “My message is clear: if you want to build a nuclear project in Britain, my door is open.”

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