As the UK continues its journey towards Net Zero by 2050, nuclear energy is emerging as a critical source of clean, reliable power. The industry currently delivers £5bn in direct spend and £4.9bn in GVA to the North West economy and is projected to triple to £15bn by 2030.
With the increasing growth of the nuclear sector and emphasis on hydrogen power, Martin O’Rourke, Commercial Director at Birchwood Park, shares how the North West’s nuclear industry is shaping the future of clean energy solutions, with strategic investment and cross-collaboration.
New technologies
Advancements in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and next-generation fission reactors are paving the way for more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective solutions across the industry. This is furthered by the government’s recent commitment to removing barriers to nuclear expansion, allowing for greater flexibility in site selection and streamlining planning regulations. It signals a shift from simply replacing legacy infrastructure, to reshaping the nuclear landscape through innovation.
Technologies like SMRs address some of the biggest challenges the renewable energy industry currently faces in the transition to a net zero power system. They offer a means to decarbonise energy-intensive industries whilst providing a consistent baseload power to complement weather-dependent renewables. This grid reliability will be key in preventing energy shortages during periods of low renewable generation.
The North West is at the forefront of nuclear research and development and is home to nearly 50% of the UK’s R&D efforts. Birchwood Park plays a crucial role in this – housing industry leaders like the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, Amentum, Cavendish Nuclear, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Nuvia.
Nuclear’s role in hydrogen
Hydrogen is increasingly gaining momentum as a solution for the decarbonisation of heavy industry, transport, and heating – and nuclear energy is set to play an important role in the production of low-carbon hydrogen.
Currently, renewable-based hydrogen faces the same challenges as the wider renewables industry, relying on sources like wind or solar which are fluctuating. Scaling up hydrogen production will require a stable, low-carbon energy source, and nuclear is uniquely positioned to deliver this demand. Nuclear-produced hydrogen offers a stable, more predictable supply of power – allowing industries to commit to scaling up without the worry of intermittent production challenges.
The integration of nuclear within hydrogen projects also strengthens the case for a whole-system energy approach, in which energy storage solutions are reliable and thus able to effectively complement renewable generation. This ability to produce low-carbon hydrogen at scale will be pivotal in the UK’s net zero journey, and the North West is already leading the way in driving innovation across these projects.
Economy and jobs growth
The North West’s nuclear sector supports more than 13,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs, and employment in the industry is expected to grow by 49% by 2030. As the industry expands and shifts towards Net Zero, ensuring that the workforce keeps pace with this demand will be essential.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is key to addressing the industry’s skills gap and developing a future-ready workforce. The Northern Nuclear Alliance (NNA) is playing a pivotal role in tackling these challenges, connecting nuclear companies with government, regulators, universities, and training providers to align skills development with the sector’s needs. By strengthening these partnerships, the industry can build a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of delivering the next generation of nuclear energy projects, aligned with the wider industry’s sustainability objectives.
In line with the immediate talent needs of the nuclear industry, bridging the skills gap will be fundamental in the UK’s wider decarbonisation goals. Ensuring a diverse, highly skilled workforce will only accelerate the introduction of low-carbon technologies, and allow the UK to advance its research in areas like nuclear, hydrogen production, and energy storage. Birchwood Park’s role as a hub for knowledge sharing and skills development will be crucial in supporting this – providing essential infrastructure for decarbonisation professionals.
The UK’s nuclear industry is at a defining moment. It is no longer solely about large power plants, it is about new technologies that are making nuclear more flexible, scalable, and sustainable. However, for the industry to actualise Net Zero, ongoing investment, policy support and public trust will be essential.
A holistic approach to nuclear development must remain a priority, ensuring next-generation technologies work alongside renewables and complementary projects like hydrogen production. At Birchwood Park, we see first-hand how collaboration fuels the industry, as organisations based here continue to lead the way in shaping the future of clean energy. The foundations for growth are already in place and it’s about ensuring we have the talent, investment, and innovation to make it happen.
This article appeared in the June 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.