Nuclear technology ruled out for IoM as UK backs £210 million plan

Reactors could make up for shortfalls in wind energy, expert says

Nuclear power for the Isle of Man has been ruled out by recent delegate to COP26 and chair of Isle of Man's Climate Change Transformation Board, Daphne Caine MHK.
 
This follows an announcement Tuesday that the UK government will back a £210 million plan to fund the Rolls-Royce production of small modular reactors (SMR).
 
Nuclear energy is widely seen as critical to strengthening future energy security globally and is part of the UK government's pledge to reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuels and deploy low carbon alternatives.

Using the "clean technology" is also part of the British government's Ten Point Plan to create high skilled jobs.
 
Despite industry claims, Mrs Caine told Manx Radio that the mini-reactors won't feature as part of the future energy scenarios developed by Ove Arup for the Isle of Man:

 
However, a nuclear expert working as part of a Rolls-Royce led consortium on SMR production says that nuclear should have a place in any energy plan for the Island.
 
Professor Andrew Storer of the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC), based at Sheffield University, says renewable sources are only part of the picture and small nuclear reactors are not only safe but make up for shortfalls in wind energy: