Mini nuclear reactor firm Newcleo snubs Britain for the French

Britain’s nuclear ambitions suffered another setback when a British company chose France to build its prototype reactor.

Newcleo blamed political unrest in Westminster for his decision.

The mini-nuclear power plant company said it had waited in vain for ministers to give the green light to the site of the project, leaving no choice but to take the work across the Channel.

The move will cost hundreds of potential UK jobs and casts further doubt over the country’s nuclear future.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Newcleo CEO Stefano Buono told the Mail: “Changing governments three times has not helped.

“We expected a decision sooner, but I understand that if the government changes, it is very difficult to make decisions.”

Britain is scrambling to replace its fleet of six major nuclear power stations, five of which are due to close by 2028 and one, Sizewell B, by 2035.

Hope for the mini-nuclear sector was sparked by Boris Johnson’s plans for a government-backed body called Great British Nuclear (GBN) to support the development of new sites.

In the House of Commons yesterday, the former Prime Minister urged the government to ‘use this country’s technological lead and build a fleet of small modular nuclear reactors as part of our Great Britain Nuclear Programme’.

Company Secretary Grant Shapps said GBN would soon be operational and said small modular reactors would play “an important role” in boosting nuclear energy supply.

The government wants 25 percent of electricity to come from nuclear energy by 2050. Last year it delivered 15.5 percent.

Privately owned Newcleo, about to launch a £900 million round of funding, is one of several companies planning to build mini-nuclear power stations in the UK.

The plants will be much smaller than traditional nuclear reactors, but the idea is that, being faster and cheaper to assemble, they will provide a significant boost to energy supply as the UK tries to move away from fossil fuels.

Ministers have supported the idea but have been criticized for the lack of clarity needed to allow companies to invest.

Buono said, “It’s been a bit of a setback to our strategy. We wanted to prototype in the UK and we decided to do it in France.”

Buono’s frustration with the government follows comments to the Mail from Warren East, the outgoing CEO of Rolls-Royce, who also plans his own chain of mini-nuclear stations. East said the government should “go ahead” and put in place a funding framework for the industry.

The Italian added: ‘I set up a company in the UK because I felt that the UK was the best country to develop new reactors. We have placed a bet on the UK and so far I am very happy.’