Baroness Worthington and Charles Hendry MP launched the final publication in the Future Electricity Series, examining the role of nuclear power in the UK's future electricity mix, at an event in Parliament. They were joined by a cross-party panel of Parliamentarians and experts from academia and industry.

Key-Note Speaker

• Tim Yeo MP - Chair, Energy & Climate Change Select Committee

Co-Chairs

• Baroness Worthington
• Charles Hendry MP

Speakers

• Philip Lowe - Former DG Energy & Competition
• John Robertson MP - Labour
• David Mowat MP - Conservative
• Lord Stephen - Liberal Democrat
• Adrian Bull - National Nuclear Laboratory
• Prof Jim Watson - UK Energy Research Centre

Comments from the speakers:

“The ambition for many of us is to see the UK lead the world in the development of the next generation of reactors; the question should be how to get Britain back to the forefront of nuclear development”

Charles Hendry MP, Inquiry Co-Chair

“It is possible to support some technologies, so long as there is a ‘good story’; any support must be essential to the achievement of objectives, be proportionate and be limited in time.“

Philip Lowe, former Director, DG Energy & Competition

“The situation in the House of Commons has changed significantly since the 1980s and 90s, when governments and parties stayed clear of nuclear, because of the fear that the public didn’t like it, to today where the three main parties are supportive. ”

John Robertson MP, Labour

“A lot of talk is about the Hinkley Point C project, but as an industry, it is important that we don’t forget what nuclear is doing for us today, and might do in the longer term beyond the new build projects.”

Adrian Bull, National Nuclear Laboratory

“There is consensus on nuclear at Westminster, but not currently in the Scottish Parliament. Nuclear is an important part of the mix, but it is just as important to encourage a diversity of options.”

Lord Stephen, Liberal Democrat

“If nuclear is going to move beyond the Hinkley Point C deal, and make a big contribution to our low carbon pathway, it will need to stop being a relatively high cost low carbon technology. The policy framework has to encourage more competition.”

Prof Jim Watson, UK Energy Research Centre

“The report was extremely good on Hinkley Point C, and in particular that this is not a done deal. It is an expensive deal, and I found that disappointing. That may be, however, what happens when you negotiate with just one supplier.”

David Mowat MP, Conservative

“Political consensus has not happened by accident, and is made possible by public confidence in the [nuclear] safety regime in the UK, which is an enormous achievement.”

Tim Yeo MP, Chair, ECC Committee

“It is clear that nuclear has the capability of making a massive contribution to a low carbon economy, but it must be cleaner, safer and cheaper. Until we crack that, it will always be seen as a political hedge against rising fuel prices. This must change.”

Baroness Worthington, Labour

Power from Nuclear sponsor: Costain

Future Electricity Series sponsor: Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers