Scot Lib Dems will open the door to small modular nuclear reactors

The Scottish Liberal Democrats manifesto at the upcoming Holyrood elections will commit to ending the Scottish Government’s ideological opposition to new nuclear and explore the rollout of small modular nuclear reactors.

The party’s leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, pointed to the benefits that they could bring to sites like Dounreay in Caithness as he made the announcement to Highland business leaders at a Prosper event in the Highlands.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are compact nuclear power plants built in factories and assembled on site to generate low-carbon electricity more flexibly, cheaply and safely than traditional large reactors.

Mr Cole-Hamilton, who was sceptic of nuclear power in the past, now feels SMRs have the potential to “change the equation” but fears the SNP Government’s refusal to contemplate this next generation of nuclear energy could force “expertise, jobs, investment and growth south of the border.”

He said: “Everywhere I go people tell me that sky high energy bills are hurting their households and their businesses. It’s one of the biggest issues facing our country.

“We also need to prioritise our energy security. It means reducing our reliance on fracked gas from the US and keeping ourselves out of Putin’s energy stranglehold. A mix of low carbon technologies is going to be required to meet our future energy requirements.

“I've been a sceptic of nuclear power in the past, but SMRs have the potential to change the equation. Britain's engineering prowess could reduce our reliance on costly and volatile fossil fuels and allow us to sell products and knowledge around the world. However, the SNP Government’s refusal to even contemplate this next generation of nuclear energy could force expertise, jobs, investment and growth south of the border.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats will end the current Scottish Government’s ideological opposition so that small modular reactors are looked at through the same cost-benefit analysis that is applied to other forms of energy.

“The Highlands has a significant history in this regard, with Dounreay operating safely for decades, bringing in well-paid jobs to the highlands. It’s the kind of site that should be at the front of the queue for a small modular reactor, if and when the technology is proven.

“At the forthcoming election, it’s clear that Scotland needs change with fairness at its heart. My party has a realistic plan to back business, cut the cost of living and boost energy security in an uncertain world.”

David Green, the party's candidate for Caithness, Sutherland, and Ross, previously wrote to Scottish Ministers to make the case for scrapping their opposition to nuclear energy. Welcoming the announcement, he said:

“This is the right move at the right time. The UK Climate Change Committee - an expert-led body - has been clear that nuclear power is essential to a decarbonised electricity system. Meeting our climate obligations will require substantial volumes of low-carbon generation, and nuclear must play a role in that mix.

“Context matters. With a clear commitment from the UK Government to new investment, nuclear will form part of our future energy landscape. The SNP Government’s continued opposition fails to see the bigger picture and runs counter to the expressed wishes of communities such as those in the far north.

“Imagine what this could mean for the Highlands: a highly skilled workforce, enormous potential, and a community ready to seize the opportunity. The conversation has moved on - it now simply requires the SNP to do the same, or step aside.”

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, described the announcement as a “very significant move by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.” He said: “New nuclear in Scotland would create thousands of good jobs, unlock billions of pounds in investment, and deliver more affordable power for people across Scotland.”

Mr Greatrex added: “At a time when Scottish energy bills are at an all-time high and industrial employment has been in severe decline, building new nuclear capacity in Scotland should be a national priority.”

The announcement comes amidst ‘Nuclear Week’ in the UK Parliament - a week with the purpose of bringing the UK nuclear industry, its supply chain, and Parliamentarians together to promote nuclear energy's role in energy security and net-zero goals.

Raising the issue during parliamentary questions in the House of Commons, Far North MP Jamie Stone criticised the Scottish Government for continuing to block new developments in Scotland. Speaking following the exchanges, he said:

“I have relentlessly made the case for nuclear developments - and the jobs they will bring to the Highlands - to the Scottish Government. They continue to ignore me and make it clear that their anti-nuclear position is unmoveable.

“This is short-sighted stubbornness. The UK Government has shown that they are ready to support clean energy and skilled work across the UK - whilst Scotland is being left behind by the SNP’s narrow-minded agenda.

“After meeting apprentices at Dounreay, I am more certain than ever that the nuclear industry in the Far North is the future. It is these opportunities that the Scottish Government will be stripping from young people in the Highlands if they don’t compromise.”

ENDS.