Policy paper

Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap: Future Pathways

Sets out research and development (R&D) activities needed for up to 75 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy in the UK.

• From: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and Department of Energy & Climate Change
• Published: 26 March 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Documents

Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap: Future Pathways

Ref: BIS/13/632

PDF, 1.94 MB, 128 pages

Details

Sets out research and development (R&D) activities and illustrative timelines which would support implementation of a number of future nuclear technology pathways:

• Baseline Pathway: no new build, operating the existing reactor fleet for the remainder of its life, decommissioning and clean-up of sites in the UK and delivery of a geological disposal facility
• Open Fuel Cycle Pathway: delivery of 16 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear build capacity by 2025, followed by up to 75 GW with an open fuel cycle by 2050, and the elements of the Baseline Pathway
• Closed Fuel Cycle Pathway: delivery of 16 GW of new nuclear build capacity by 2025, followed by up to 75 GW with a closed fuel cycle by 2050, and the elements of the Baseline Pathway

This document aims to inform decisions on future technologies.

See also the Nuclear Industrial Strategy.

Published 26 March 2013