In brief

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult has launched a national consultation to shape a ten-year Nuclear Manufacturing Strategy for the UK. The initiative responds to an expected £100bn-plus investment wave across civil and defence nuclear programmes over the next decade, driven by energy security concerns, rising electricity demand and geopolitical instability. HVM Catapult says the UK has a narrowing window to strengthen its position in nuclear manufacturing and capture more value from future nuclear projects.

The consultation will involve industry, government, academia, regional partners, manufacturers and SMEs through written submissions, stakeholder workshops and regional engagement events during 2026. Its aim is to identify where UK capability, supply chains, skills, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing technologies can best support future nuclear markets, including small modular reactors, advanced modular reactors and micro modular reactors. HVM Catapult argues that future nuclear programmes will rely more on modular, factory-based production, digital engineering and repeatable manufacturing than on traditional bespoke construction methods.

Source: Energy Live News

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