MIDLANDS PRESS RELEASE
Midlands Embarks on Study to Assess Potential Sites for Nuclear New Build and Boost Regional Growth
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Equilibrion, a strategic and technical consultancy, has been appointed by the Midlands Net Zero Hub and Midlands Nuclear to identify the potential of nuclear energy production in the Midlands region. Equilibrion will lead a comprehensive siting study to consider locations and sites that have the potential to be developed in the nearer term.
On the 6th February, The UK Government announced reforms on planning rules to facilitate new nuclear build projects in the UK, including a new Nuclear National Policy Statement, EN-7, for the development of nuclear power projects beyond 2025. This new approach eases some of the restrictions on the choice of nuclear sites for deployment, which had been embedded in the previous EN-6 statement. This more flexible approach is expected to attract new nuclear developments in a wider range of locations and create thousands of new highly skilled jobs while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people.
The Midlands Nuclear Siting Project, due to report in Spring/Summer 2025, will provide a deeper understanding of the opportunities nuclear provides, including the production of electricity, hydrogen, sustainable fuel and direct heat. With this greater understanding of some potential sites that could be considered by developers, the region will be able to drive inward investment and enhance regional low carbon energy supply for homes and industry. The output will also complement other activities, including academia and skills, as part of a joined-up approach to addressing new opportunities in nuclear.
With a specific focus on Small and Advanced Modular Reactors (SMRs and AMRs respectively), the study seeks to maximise the opportunity that the forthcoming EN-7 provides to regions. This includes enabling inward investment, generating significant social and economic benefits and helping position the Midlands as a leader in the development of future nuclear sites under the new National Policy Statement.
The project will engage relevant bodies, evaluate supply chain opportunities, and provide insights into the regulatory landscape considering the social, economic and environmental benefits that nuclear can bring to the region.
By proactively addressing skills and site readiness, the Midlands positions itself as a leading region ready to contribute significantly to the nation’s Net Zero targets, enhancing energy security and driving prosperity through enabling the growth of new and traditional industries.
Dr. Philip Rogers, Project Director at Equilibrion, said “The Midlands has historically been a major centre of energy generation for the country but the closure of multiple coal-fired assets in the region has eroded its national contribution. This project is another step on the journey to considering how the Midlands could return to being a major energy producing region using nuclear energy.”
“We are delighted to have been awarded this groundbreaking and timely project that aligns with the most up-to-date indications of the Government’s drive for new nuclear.”
“At Equilibrion, we are committed to applying our expertise to support the UK in taking tangible steps to realising a sustainable low-carbon future including in regions new to nuclear energy and to supporting the growth of industry through the stable supply of electricity, hydrogen, heat and sustainable fuels.”
Jack Hayhoe, Head of Net Zero Programmes at Midlands Net Zero Hub, said: “We are delighted to support Midlands Nuclear with the skills and siting studies. Understanding the landscape is vital to make meaningful and strategic progress projects in the Midlands. There is a huge potential in nuclear energy generation in the Midlands and a large appetite from local specialist companies. With long development times for projects, we need to get started on these projects now to meet the Government’s ambition to quadruple nuclear delivery by 2050. We will be using the findings from the study to inform the approach to nuclear projects in the Midlands, as well as demonstrating the regional need to our funders at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.”
Lord Ravensdale, Chair of Midlands Nuclear, said: “Midlands Nuclear are delighted to see the potential for new nuclear in the Midlands being further explored by the project to assessing potentially suitable deployment sites. The project aligns with emergent Government thinking on new nuclear siting, making this an ideal time to build on previous work and grow understanding in this important area. The output will support a deeper understanding of how nuclear can play an important role in supporting the growth of jobs, social benefit and economic output in the region. We look forward to working with Midlands Net Zero Hub and Equilibrion through the project.”
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Contact
For a more in-depth interview with Equilibrion Directors, Dr Philip Rogers or Caroline Longman, please contact:
Rachel Drake, Marketing Director, 07833 292252
[email protected]
About Equilibrion
Equilibrion is a nuclear strategic and technical consultancy and project development company. Formed in 2022 by Caroline Longman and Philip Rogers to realise the potential of nuclear energy and mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Caroline and Philip have a combined 30 years of delivering major nuclear innovation projects and advise on policy development on the role of nuclear in decarbonising sectors such as transport, heat and industry.
Further information on the Study
The study, funded by The Midlands Net Zero Hub is in turn funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The Midlands historically hosted a range of large coal-fired electricity generating assets. The area once referred to as MegaWatt Valley in the East Midlands previously generated approximately 25% of the electricity demand in England and Wales.
The current National Policy Statement for Nuclear, EN-6, identifies eight sites in England and Wales that the Government considers potentially suitable for building new nuclear power stations up to 2025. The proposed new EN-7 document updates the Government’s position and enables developers to identify and propose nuclear new build in locations additional to the eight subject to ultimate approval by the Secretary of State.
About the Midlands Net Zero Hub
The Midlands Net Zero Hub is at the centre of the region’s ambitious efforts to reach a low-carbon and clean-growth future.
Funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and accountable to Nottingham City Council, the Hub is one of five Local Net Zero Hubs across England that focus on helping the UK to reach net zero by 2050.
The Midlands Net Zero Hub supports local authorities, public sector organisations, and community groups to deliver decarbonisation strategies and projects. The Hub provides practical assistance to organisations in the region to:
- Attract commercial investment and help local authorities and other public sector bodies to develop investment models that accelerate progress to net zero.
- Increase the number, quality, and scale of local net zero projects being delivered in the region, including early-stage development and delivery of projects.
- Support net zero elements in wider programmes and initiatives, for example Levelling Up agenda.
- Support a national knowledge transfer programme to improve information sharing, training, and evaluation to strengthen and teach others.
- Raise local awareness of opportunities for and benefits of local net zero investment.
The Hub also supports the net zero agenda through project delivery of schemes including Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition, and Local Energy Advice Demonstrator.
For more information on the Hub, please contact [email protected].
