Michael is joined by Dr Tim Stone CBE, Chair of the Nuclear Industry Association, regarding reports that U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is backing a new generation of nuclear reactors as Britain finds itself in the grip of an energy crisis.

The PM is understood to see the move as essential to the government’s plans to achieve its 2050 net zero targets and comes after hundreds of motorists blocked roads after fears over a fuel shortage sparked panic buying in Britain.

Dr Stone said while addressing CEDA, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, that “Nuclear power is a cheaper, cleaner energy alternative to renewables.”

“When you work out the cost of the electricity over the life of the (nuclear) kit…it is a lot cheaper than the honest number for renewables,” he said.

“If you add the cost of that (production) plus the cost of intermittency support, it’s a lot more expense and this is the issue where we need to have rational conversations.”

Dr Stone says it is also important to have rational discussion and research into developing nuclear power technology especially the back end of the fuel cycle.

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