UK Nuclear Renaissance: Balancing Regulation for Clean Energy

▪️IAEA Nuclear Infrastructure Issue #9: Electrical Grid Nuclear power plants (NPPs) are unique compared to other generation sources: they produce large, steady baseload electricity, require highly reliable transmission systems, and must operate within robust, stable grids. Nuclear units can exceed 1,000 MW. Therefore, a national grid must be capable of: • Absorbing sudden changes in power flow without widespread outages. • Maintaining frequency and voltage stability under both normal and fault conditions. • Interconnecting with regional grids to share reserves and balance demand. The IAEA Nuclear Energy Series NG-T-3.9; provides detailed recommendations on grid stability, reliability, minimum load thresholds, redundancy, and interface requirements between NPPs and transmission networks. ▪️Phase 1 : Considerations Before a Decision to Launch a Nuclear Power Programme At this stage, the focus is on understanding the implications of introducing a nuclear plant into the existing grid. Key activities include: • Conducting initial grid assessments to determine current capacity, stability, and interconnections. • Evaluating whether the grid can absorb a typical nuclear unit. • Identifying gaps and preparing a grid strengthening roadmap. ▪️Phase 2; Preparatory Work for Contracting and Construction With a policy decision made, the country must: 1️⃣Undertake detailed load flow and stability studies to assess how nuclear power will integrate. 2️⃣Define the technical requirements for grid codes, redundancy, and reserve capacity. 3️⃣Strengthen institutional coordination between the nuclear energy programme, regulators, and transmission utilities. By the end of Phase 2, the grid operator should demonstrate that it can meet the IAEA reliability standards necessary for safe plant operation. ▪️Phase 3 – Construction to Commissioning of the First NPP • During construction and commissioning, the grid must be fully prepared to support safe plant startup, operation, and emergency response. This includes: • Completing necessary infrastructure upgrades (new transmission lines, substations, and reserve capacity). • Establishing real-time monitoring systems to maintain stability. • Training grid operators and plant staff on nuclear-grid interface protocols. • Strengthening regional interconnections to enable load sharing and stability. 🚀In Africa, Egypt 🇪🇬is upgrading its grid for the El Dabaa project, while South Africa 🇿🇦builds on Koeberg’s experience and strengthens links through the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP). Ghana 🇬🇭 , Kenya 🇰🇪 , Ouganda 🇺🇬 and Nigeria 🇳🇬 are assessing grid capacity for future nuclear units, and countries like Rwanda 🇷🇼 and Senegal🇸🇳 are exploring regional interconnections. These steps highlight how grid readiness is advancing across the continent to enable nuclear energy. #Nuclear #Africa #CleanEnergy #IAEA #EnergyTransition #AAPN #GridIntegration

Nuclear Energy: Can It Power India’s Clean Energy Future? As India races toward its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, one question looms large: Can nuclear energy play a decisive role in balancing sustainability, energy security, and economic growth? India’s Current Nuclear Energy Landscape: India operates 23 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of ~7,500 MW, contributing about 3% of total electricity generation. The government plans to quadruple this to ~22,480 MW by 2031–32 through indigenous PHWRs and collaborations with Russia, France, and the USA. Nuclear power remains central to India’s clean-energy transition—providing a stable, low-carbon base that complements intermittent solar and wind. The Waste Management Challenge Despite its promise, nuclear waste management is a formidable hurdle. India follows a “closed fuel cycle” to reuse plutonium, but long-term disposal of high-level waste remains underdeveloped due to: •Limited geological repositories •Environmental and public-safety concerns •Need for stronger regulation and innovation Lessons from Nuclear Disasters Chernobyl (1986, USSR): Design flaws and human error reshaped global nuclear-safety norms. Fukushima (2011, Japan): Highlighted vulnerability in disaster-prone zones. Kalpakkam (2003, India): Emphasised stricter safety and transparent communication. Recent Spotlight: Military Risk As if to stress how nuclear technologies intersect not just energy but geopolitics and security, consider this alarming development: Russia recently announced a test of its new nuclear-powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik (NATO designation SSC-X-9 “Skyfall”). It was described by Russian officials as a “flying Chernobyl” because of its nuclear propulsion and potential radioactive exhaust. This dramatic example serves as a stark reminder that nuclear risk extends beyond power-plants and waste into the realm of international security. In the context of India’s clean-energy ambitions, it underlines the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and technical resilience, not just for civil-nuclear infrastructure, but for managing broader nuclear-risk ecosystems. The Road Ahead Integrating nuclear with renewables and storage can enhance clean-energy reliability. If India balances innovation with responsibility, nuclear energy could become a true cornerstone of a sustainable, low-carbon, and energy-secure future. What’s your take? Can nuclear power be a realistic pillar of India’s clean-energy roadmap—or do the risks still outweigh the rewards? #NuclearEnergy #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #IndiaEnergy #EnergyTransition #ClimateAction #NuclearSafety

As many First Nations consider partnerships on nuclear power projects across Canada, here are some considerations that should be addressed early in the partnership: 1. If there is no plan for the long-term storage and disposal of wastes, are First Nations' territories potential sites for future waste storage? If the First Nation does not support disposal on its territories, how will this be addressed in any agreements? 2. Will there be adequate compensation for the damage caused by impingement and entrainment and cooling water facilities? - these can cause significant regional-scale damage to fish and fish habitat. 3. How will the transport of nuclear wastes be handled in First Nations territories? 4. Many historic nuclear facilities have leaked radioactive materials into groundwater and surface waters - what assurance does the First Nation have that there will be adequate transparency, compensation etc.? 5. What is the potential impact of an accident on First Nations territory? 6. How will this facility affect other infrastructure such as transmission, and how will it affect other energy projects of interest to the First Nation - some nuclear facilities are not very compatible with a distributed grid that services solar and wind projects for example. Nuclear is also extremely expensive and subject to cost increases and delays - this can affect funding for other projects. 7. What are the routine emissions from the facility? Nuclear is not emissions-free. 6. How will short-term disposal of wastes be handled? Many facilities currently store waste in warehouses next to drinking water sources, will these facilities be expanded or is there another solution? It is positive that many nuclear operators are engaging early with First Nations, but the issues raised by nuclear facilities span many generations and engage low-probability devastating damage, as well as routine damage that must be mitigated. It is important that Nations are properly advised on potential impacts so that they can negotiate from a place of strength.

⚡India Opens the Nuclear Vault: Private Players Invited to Power the Nation’s Future! 🇮🇳🔋 In a bold and historic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India is officially opening its nuclear power sector to private companies, marking a major policy shift in the nation’s energy landscape. Speaking at the India-UK CEO Forum, Modi invited UK businesses to partner with India in green energy, critical minerals, and infrastructure development, saying: > “We are opening up the nuclear power sector to the private sector… I invite you to join India on this development journey.” --- 🚀 A New Energy Era Begins India’s energy ambitions are nothing short of massive: 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 1,800 GW by 2047 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 — up from just 8.1 GW today (barely 2% of India’s total power capacity) To accelerate this, the Budget FY26 introduced a ₹20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission focused on research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — a next-generation, safer, and cost-effective nuclear technology. --- 🏗️ Private Sector Steps In With the upcoming amendments to the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010), private companies will finally be allowed to generate nuclear power — something that’s been off-limits for over six decades. Now, a wave of Indian giants is gearing up: NTPC aims to add 30 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, partnering with NuScale Power, Westinghouse, Holtec International, and Rosatom. L&T and Tata Consulting Engineers are exploring tie-ups with Holtec for SMR development. Tata Power is in talks with multiple states (Odisha, MP, Gujarat) to secure land for nuclear plants. IndianOil has also announced plans to enter the nuclear space soon. Currently, NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) is the only company operating nuclear power plants. But this shift could soon bring public-private collaboration that revolutionizes the sector. --- ⚛️ Why This Matters India’s nuclear expansion is about more than power generation — it’s about energy security, clean growth, and technological sovereignty. With fossil fuel dependence declining and renewable integration rising, nuclear power could be the steady, zero-emission backbone of India’s future grid. However, challenges remain — from safety concerns and high capital costs to global technology transfers and liability frameworks. --- 💬 Your Turn: Do you think private sector participation can make India’s nuclear dream a reality? Or will regulatory and financial hurdles slow the progress? 👇 Share your thoughts in the comments! And don’t forget to follow K. Gabrial for more insights on India’s energy, economy, and tech transformation! 🌏✨ #IndiaNuclearRevolution #Modi #EnergyTransition #GreenIndia #NuclearPower #CleanEnergy #PrivateSector #India2047 #NTPC #TataPower #Holtec #RenewableEnergy #GabrialInsights

⚛️  New Nuclear: Are we finally getting it right? I recently came across Deep Fission , a U.S. company proposing a bold new approach to nuclear energy: small modular reactors (SMRs) installed one mile underground. The idea of placing an entire reactor in a 30-inch borehole is innovative and fascinating; it could drastically remove challenges of the legacy technology, reduce surface infrastructure and costs. To me, it’s interesting to see that the U.S. is making a serious push to revive nuclear energy — not just through policy ambition, but through new thinking. And frankly, I welcome it. 💡 Pablos Holman summed it up well in a recent Tim Ferriss podcast: “We’ve had nuclear tech for decades — what we lacked was the will and the systems to scale it.” That’s changing. The U.S. now wants to quadruple nuclear capacity by 2050, streamline approvals, invest in the technology and support first-of-a-kind designs. And this matters far beyond the U.S. The growing demand for (clean) energy is one of society’s biggest challenges and the enabler for our daily life and nearly every emerging technology, from large data centers to AI infrastructure. If we solve the energy problem, many others become easier to address. 🌍 But what about Europe? While there is momentum in parts of Europe others are opposing the technology collectively — nuclear projects remain slow, expensive, and politically contentious. Innovation and openness is almost non existing. According to the IEA and EU Commission, Europe will require over €200 billion in nuclear investment by 2050 to reach its targets in more or less maintaining the 100GW nuclear capacity, with project timelines stretching over decades. And while nuclear is not a silver bullet, innovation and improvement could make it work alongside renewables and storage, which continue to get cheaper, faster, and more flexible. Nonetheless despite some positive signals, the social license for nuclear remains fragile — public support, safety perceptions, and waste concerns still pose major hurdles. 👀 A few thoughts — and maybe a controversial opinion: - I’m optimistic about the next generation of nuclear technology, which is addressing many of the legacy issues. It has realistic potential to become a major energy source of the future - Europe needs to be honest about the systemic challenges: complicated permitting, public trust and a lack of innovation and push - Most importantly: it’s time to reframe nuclear not as a legacy or “bad” technology, but as a strategic capability we may need in our future energy mix. We don’t need to be pro- or anti-nuclear. But we do need to be open, informed, and ambitious when thinking about all scalable energy solutions. 🔄 I’d love to hear thoughts — especially from experts working on real-world projects: Where do you see nuclear fitting in? Is it back — or still too slow to matter?

There have been a busy few weeks for nuclear energy in Europe — and for CATF. From Vienna to Bratislava to Warsaw, the momentum behind nuclear energy as a pillar of Europe’s clean and secure energy future is growing. ⚛️ At the IAEA’s 69th General Conference, discussions centred on collaboration, standardisation, and sustainable finance as the world moves toward a larger, more coordinated nuclear ecosystem. CATF engaged with policymakers and regulators to advance transparent, harmonised frameworks for scaling nuclear energy worldwide. Read our blog: https://lnkd.in/eC-DcpCV ⚛️ At the Warsaw Security Forum, CATF and Third Way co-hosted a dialogue on nuclear energy’s role in Europe’s industrial resilience and strategic sovereignty. The message was clear: nuclear energy is not just about powering economies — it’s about empowering Europe to shape its own future. Read our blog: https://lnkd.in/epXz6gSZ ⚛️ At the European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) in Bratislava, CATF presented findings from 40+ interviews across EU Member States. The analysis highlighted the need for an EU-wide nuclear strategy, harmonised licensing and financing frameworks, and market reforms that value clean, firm power. Watch the recording here: https://lnkd.in/eaFGKan4 Follow CATF’s work in Europe as we continue pushing for policies needed for a zero-emissions, high-energy planet at an affordable cost: https://lnkd.in/e_tz9Ue9

Singapore Investigates Nuclear Power, Forms Expert Committees and Seals Agreements with the US Singapore is conducting a thorough, systematic assessment of whether nuclear power—particularly emerging technologies such as small modular reactors—could feature in its future energy strategy. Today, officials released a 16-page briefing document titled “Building Singapore’s Capabilities to Assess Nuclear Energy,” outlining the measures undertaken so far to appraise the technology and cultivate domestic know-how. Highlights from the paper and linked announcements: 1. No final verdict yet • Singapore has not decided to pursue nuclear energy. • Any consideration of deployment will depend on rigorous evaluations of safety, reliability, economic viability and environmental implications. 2. Progress on capability development • A 2012 pre-feasibility study found that the reactor designs available at the time were unsuitable for a compact, densely inhabited city-state. • Since then, the Government has continually tracked advances in nuclear technology—particularly small modular reactors, which promise greater siting flexibility, potential cost savings and improved safety. 3. Specialized teams and public outreach • Dr Tan See Leng, Minister-in-Charge of Energy and Science & Technology, confirmed the establishment of dedicated nuclear energy units within key agencies. • Authorities plan to host ongoing public briefings to share updates, field questions and collect feedback throughout the evaluation process. 4. Global collaborations • Singapore has inked two new cooperation pacts with U.S. organizations Idaho National Laboratory and Battelle Memorial Institute. • These agreements supplement the July 2024 “123 Agreement” for peaceful nuclear collaboration and the January 2025 memorandum of understanding on civil nuclear partnership between Singapore and the United States. 5. Government backing and future actions • In his Budget 2025 speech, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong affirmed that the republic will methodically develop the expertise required to make a well-informed choice on nuclear power. • Upcoming initiatives will involve technical assessments, workforce development and continued dialogue with both international collaborators and local communities. By establishing this foundation now, Singapore seeks to guarantee that if nuclear energy is eventually adopted, the nation will possess the regulatory infrastructure, skilled professionals and public support necessary for safe and responsible implementation. 📊 Market Context & Insight For investors in Malaysia, gold is commonly viewed as a safeguard against currency volatility, inflation and global uncertainties. Many diversify by investing in physical gold jewelry, gold bars, Gold Investment Accounts (GIAs) from local banks like Maybank and CIMB, and Gold Futures (FGLD) on Bursa Malaysia. It’s advisable to balance holdings b...

⚛️ 🥳 ⚛️ "India’s bold nuclear push promises clean energy and self-reliance—but can reforms, talent, and financing keep pace with the towering ambition?"[Kavya Wadhwa, Observer Research Foundation] #poweringIndia #poweringThe5Billion #Raisina_Debates (1) "India’s nuclear energy sector...complex web of roadblocks...Legislative bottlenecks...Crucial amendments to the 1962 Atomic Energy Act and the 2010 Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (#CLNDA)...essential for enabling private and foreign investment...Liability concerns persist, with the broad interpretation of supplier liability and “right of recourse” provisions deterring major multinational vendors..." (2) "Regulatory ambiguity...Atomic Energy Regulatory Board...exclusion zones for upcoming SMR designs...will be ‘not beyond the plant boundary’ or ‘significantly lower’ than the conventional 1km standard for large nuclear plants...#AERB has not yet indicated if it will form a specialised regulatory vertical for SMRs..." (3) "The government is signalling its serious interest in nuclear energy ...“Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat”, earmarking INR20,000 crore for... at least 5 indigenously designed operational #SMRs by 2033 and to scale up nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, from the current 8.88 GW." (4) "An interim milestone of 22.48 GW by 2031–32 is on track, with 10 reactors under construction in 6 states and plans for the flagship Indo-United States (US) plant at #Kovvada." (5) "...has amended the Atomic Energy Act to allow for the Public-Private Partnership Model...over 11 amendments to the #CLNDA are in the pipeline, including changes to the “right of recourse” and a clear limitation of vendor liability, which would bring India in line with global safety and investment norms." (6) "...dwindling academic interest and institutional capacity for nuclear engineering...Despite growing policy support and ambitious capacity targets...Between 2010 and 2020, at least 8 Indian universities established MTech programmes in nuclear engineering." https://lnkd.in/eQubWWqS

A new era for nuclear energy is emerging.   This is driven by climate goals and energy security needs.   Surging electricity demand also fuels this change.    This demand comes especially from artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers.   Nuclear power is a firm, dispatchable, and clean energy source.   Persistent challenges still exist.   These include high upfront capital costs.   Long construction timelines are also a problem.   Projects often face cost overruns.   Nuclear development historically relied on government funding.   However, public funding alone is now insufficient.   Annual investment must double to $120 billion by 2030.   Governments must help unlock private capital.   They should use de-risking instruments.   They must also streamline regulations. Green bonds have already provided over $5 billion in financing.   Tech giants now lead the revitalization.   **Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta** are signing long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs).   They seek reliable, low-carbon power.   Microsoft agreed to restart the Three Mile Island reactor.   This deal secured 835 MW of nuclear power.   Amazon signed a PPA for nearly 2 GW of electricity.   Google is partnering to source energy from planned SMRs.   OpenAI’s Sam Altman leads Oklo.   Oklo develops compact reactors for AI infrastructure.   Tech firms are actively shaping the energy supply.   Small modular reactors (SMRs) are a potential breakthrough.   SMRs are typically under 300 MW in scale.   They are factory-built and modular.   This reduces on-site construction costs.   SMRs allow for faster deployment.   They offer a shorter payback period than conventional reactors.   This makes them more attractive to private investors.   The IEA projects SMR installations could reach 80 GW globally by 2040.   Over 1,000 SMRs could operate by 2050.   Government action is essential for investment.   Nuclear energy is now viewed as a matter of national security.   Fourteen major banks pledged support for nuclear in 2024.   This aligns with the goal to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050.   China and Russia currently dominate reactor construction globally.   Nearly half of the 63 reactors under construction are in China.   Western economies must replicate this efficiency.   Private capital can unlock a new nuclear era.   This requires strong government partnership and innovation.   Source: https://lnkd.in/dSgU3r2X   https://lnkd.in/dckV8hGX    

TNB’s latest analysis suggests nuclear power in Malaysia could be cost-competitive with coal and gas, citing China’s experience where nuclear plants have achieved an LCOE of RM269–340/MWh. That’s cheaper than domestic gas and close to coal. The report even points to a possible first plant in operation by 2031. Article here: https://lnkd.in/gsZYre3r I’m strongly pro-nuclear when it comes to electricity. It’s low-carbon, reliable, and a serious contender if Malaysia wants a secure and sustainable energy mix. But we also need to be realistic: • 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬: Globally, first nuclear plants typically take 10–15 years from policy approval to commissioning. Six years would be unprecedented for a newcomer country. • 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬: China’s numbers are impressive, but Malaysia would face higher financing costs, lack of local supply chains, and workforce readiness issues. • 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Without a strong regulatory framework and public engagement, projects risk being delayed. So while nuclear should absolutely be part of Malaysia’s energy conversation, we should plan for mid-to-late 2030s rather than expecting a reactor by 2031. The takeaway? Nuclear is not out of reach, but it needs clear-eyed planning, realistic timelines, and upfront investment in institutions, people, and trust. I’d love to hear your thoughts: Do you think Malaysia can accelerate nuclear faster than global norms—or should we prepare for a longer road ahead? Shamsul Amri Sulaiman, P.Eng, P.Tech, Ph.D, ACPE TNB Genco TNB Research #MalaysiaEnergy #NuclearPower #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #PowerSector #EnergyPolicy