2024 has been a pivotal year for UK nuclear energy milestones, showcasing transformative progress in technology, workforce development, and sustainable energy solutions. From advancements in Sizewell C to breakthroughs in SMR technology to the progress of wholly privately funded nuclear power stations, this year reflects bold commitments and critical steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

January

• Great British Nuclear publish Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050 – The UK to quadruple its nuclear generation to 24GW (25%) including the possibility of a third large-scale station
• Sizewell C commences formal construction phase
• The government invests a further £1.3bn into Sizewell C
• GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy receives £33.6m in government grant from the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund for its SMR

February

• Community Nuclear Power and Westinghouse UK reach an agreement to supply North Teesside with four Westinghouse AP-300 SMRs
• Destination Nuclear launched, a sector-wide initiative to attract and recruit talent into the UK nuclear industry
• Westinghouse UK applies for Generic Design Assessment to Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) for its AP-300 SMR
• The Welsh Parliament issues “Nuclear Energy and the Welsh Economy” backing early decisions for proposed projects at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd

March

• UK government announces it will buy the land for Wylfa and Oldbury from Hitachi for £160m
• Holtec Britain sign MoUs with Hyundai E&C, Mott McDonald and Balfour Beatty to deliver their SMR
• Sizewell C Ltd, a stand-alone company with the UK government as the majority shareholder, signs an agreement with EDF Energy for the freehold of the land where Sizewell C will be built

April

• Sizewell C agrees “Best in class” conditions for workers signed by SZC, its Tier 1 contractors and GMB and Unite trades unions
• Sizewell C receives nuclear site licence from the Office of Nuclear Regulation effect from 7^th May

May

• UK government invests £196m to support the building of an advanced fuels facility at Urenco, Capenhurst
• The UK government backs the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills (Skills Plan), a nuclear skills roadmap to recruit a new 40,000 nuclear workforce and 5,000 apprentices
• The government confirms that Wylfa on Anglesey is the nominated site if a third large-scale nuclear station is green-lit.
• Mactech Energy Group place their 1,000^th person on Hinkley Point C

June

• Labour become the new government. The new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, backs Sizewell C and new nuclear and Ed Milliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero says “New nuclear will provide clean power and good, unionised jobs for workers” while visiting Hartlepool nuclear power station

July

• The Nuclear Industry Association applies for a justification decision for Rolls-Royce’s SMR reactor design. A justification is a regulatory process which requires a government decision before any new class or type of practice involving ionising radiation can be introduced in the UK
• Rolls-Royce complete step 2 of their GDA assessment with the ONR for their SMR
• Holtec Britain complete step 1 of their GDA assessment with the ONR for their SMR

August

• Westinghouse enter step 1 of GDA assessment with the ONR for their SMR
• GE-Hitachi SMR sign MoUs with Aecon, AtkinsRealis, Jacobs and Laing O’Rourke
• NIA publishes 2024 Jobs Map highlighting almost 87,000 people employed in UK civil nuclear

September

• Holtec Britain chooses South Yorkshire for its £600m UK manufacturing factory for its SMRs
• GBN selects four companies in their SMR competition for the next stage – GE-Hitachi, Holtec Britain, Rolls-Royce SMR & Westinghouse

October

• GE-Hitachi complete step 1 of their GDA assessment with the ONR for their SMR
• Holtec US announces £325m investment in South Yorkshire to expand its nuclear operations
• Last Energy, a fully privately funded company, announces plans to build four 20MW micro-nuclear plants in Bridgend
• The government’s first budget commits £2.7bn of funding for Sizewell C to continue its development

November

• Cwmni Egino publish a Nuclear Prospectus for North Wales with focus on Wylfa and Trawsfynydd
• GBN start negotiations with the final four companies vying for UK SMR selection
• At COP29 the UK and US sign a new agreement for civil nuclear collaboration helping strengthen energy security. Both nations will pool billions in R&D to speed up deployment of advanced nuclear technologies

December

• At the annual Nuclear Conference, the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero, Ed Miliband, re-iterates Labour’s support for all types of nuclear energy from proven GW reactors to the advancement of SMR and AMR technologies
• Mactech Energy Group are platinum sponsors of the NI/NIA Annual Dinner