More than megawatts
Nuclear’s role in the future energy system
Report
Access data-driven insight on nuclear’s role in the energy ecosystem.
New nuclear offers a stable option with multiple high-value outputs. Over 40 countries now have nuclear energy strategies, including the UK. But narrow cost calculations, unclear responsibilities, and risk aversion lock the industry in power purgatory.
We surveyed 120 senior leaders across the UK nuclear energy industry to identify must-take actions for a collaborative, interconnected energy ecosystem – one where nuclear delivers much more than megawatts.
say deploying advanced nuclear tech requires new levels of system integration, coordinated delivery, and market design
say the UK nuclear ecosystem operates effectively with a shared vision
Building the interconnected energy system
To create an interconnected energy ecosystem, stakeholders within and beyond the UK energy sector need to work in tandem to:
1. Map system evolution
Through collaborative market-mapping, stakeholders can anticipate disruption, test responses, and align investment.
2. Understand the techno-economics
Robust techno-economic assessments can pin down feasibility and competitiveness, supporting strategy and investment.
3. Incentivise the market
Overcoming the first-of-a-kind hurdle relies on the right market support mechanisms to help manage financial and other risks.
How we can help
We work with operators, utilities, policymakers, regulators, and financers across the energy and utilities sector, supporting major projects and strategy plans for global clients. Our services span:
We work with operators, utilities, policymakers, regulators, and financers across the energy and utilities sector, supporting major projects and strategy plans for global clients. Our services span:
- Guiding R&D, commercialisation plans, and investment guidance backed by evidence-based insights
- Modelling outputs using integrated market models and techno-economic assessment capacity
- Bringing together government, industry, investors, and tech providers to align incentives and accelerate progress
- Designing frameworks, regulatory models, and incentives to unlock whole‑system benefits
- Quantifying whole‑system value to support investment, policymaking, and public narratives
- Building the skills, organisational capability, and supply chains for repeatable delivery.
Together with Jacobs, we also support strategic advisory; programme and organisational development; design, engineering, and construction; complex project delivery; and asset management.
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