PM goes nuclear in bid to build case for energy independence plan
Executives from companies including EDF, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Westinghouse will attend a meeting with Boris Johnson next week, Sky News learns.
Friday 18 March 2022 12:35, UK
Boris Johnson will hold talks next week with executives from the nuclear industry as he seeks to bolster Britain's energy independence following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Sky News has learnt that the prime minister has convened a roundtable to take place in Downing Street on Monday that will be attended by companies such as EDF and Rolls-Royce Holdings.
Industry sources said that Westinghouse, the US industrial giant, would also be represented at the meeting, reflecting its role in talks about the construction of a new nuclear power plant at Anglesey.
The meeting with the PM is expected to address the issue of how to speed up the delivery of new energy capacity in the UK amid criticism that it has been far too slow.
According to an invitation circulated by Number 10, the meeting intends to cover "how we can best work together to support the important role of the UK nuclear industry in the UK's clean energy transition and energy security".
"The session will bring together representatives from the nuclear industry, wider supply chain and finance sector".
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One source said a number of large banks were also expected to attend Monday's meeting.
Earlier this week, Mr Johnson met executives from the North Sea oil and gas industry for similarly themed discussions, with a round of new licences expected to be granted shortly.
Although Britain is nowhere near as reliant on imports of Russian energy as European countries such as Germany, the PM has made it clear that he wants to deliver complete energy independence for the country.
He travelled to Saudi Arabia earlier this week to make the case for increased oil production at a time of soaring prices.
Downing Street did not respond to a request for comment, while none of the companies contacted by Sky News would comment.