A CROSS-PARTY group of parliamentarians are backing plans for new nuclear, including Small Modular Reactors, to support the UK’s ambition to deliver energy security.

MPs, members of the House of Lords and local leaders voiced strong support for the important role that Small Modular Reactors could play in the UK’s low-carbon energy future.

During an event in the Lords, they highlighted the need to get a cluster of job-creating new nuclear projects underway, at pace.

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Lord Inglewood, Chair of the Cumbria LEP, hosted the event. He said: "I was delighted to host today’s event to showcase to my colleagues the real opportunity that Small Modular Reactors and other new nuclear initiatives present in addressing net zero and energy security.

"It was also important to showcase the credentials that Cumbria, my own geography, has in taking forward these opportunities. We have the right people, skills and track-record as a centre of excellence, making us the natural home for nuclear innovation and investment. Creating a powerful nuclear cluster, with a mix of innovative facilities, will be central to the next chapter of the region’s nuclear legacy."

Rolls-Royce SMR confirmed that it was actively exploring sites in West Cumbria and North Wales to site its revolutionary power plants – each capable of producing 470MW of electricity.

Commitment to the network of SMR plants would not only help meet growing demand for low-carbon electricity, but lay the groundwork for the British brand to export the technology across the globe.

Political and business leaders in the region were clear that Cumbria must play a major role in the UK’s nuclear renaissance, with the Government targeting 24GW of nuclear power by 2050 in a bid to shore up Britain’s domestic energy and cut carbon emissions.

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Paul Stein, Chair of Rolls-Royce SMR, added: "Rolls-Royce SMR is the UK’s domestic nuclear energy champion and our technology, developed by a UK-based team building on decades of engineering, manufacturing and nuclear reactor design experience, will play a vital role in meeting global energy challenges - providing clean, affordable energy for generations to come."