Dalton Nuclear Policy Group: Influence on Nuclear Strategy

Narrative

By offering a sustained line of impartial information, Dalton have given momentum to the notoriously slow-moving issue of nuclear. 

The position papers and blogs have been read by 7,000 industry and policy decision makers.

This has resulted in several MPs and their advisors engaging with the findings, including members of the nuclear APPG and a Conservative MP who shared Dalton’s work with both the Energy Minister and the Secretary of State.  

Consequently, Dalton has given evidence at a series of Westminster Select Committee hearings, to inform both the future of nuclear in Wales and a UK wide approach to delivering nuclear power. 

And although impact will remain ongoing, BEIS has already referenced Dalton in a call for evidence, kick-starting the government's objective assessment of nuclear energy; while alongside the government has committed to the build of eight new reactors so 25% of UK’s electricity by 2030 is nuclear-generated.

Dalton’s approach was defined by:

Assembly of a senior team of researchers – Professors Adrian Bull, Gregg Butler, Francis Livens, Juan Matthews, Kath Morris and Drs Will Bodel and Aneeqa Khan – with a combined 250 years’ in industry and academia
An agnostic view of nuclear: this team are motivated by net zero; if nuclear can support - great but if evidence shows otherwise, move on
Being a good citizen, with the team voluntarily dedicating +500 hours


Activity centred on the creation of evidence-based position papers and blogs addressing critical issues, stalling action. Dalton leveraged its scientific knowledge, its political and sector knowledge, and its impartial standing to spell out:

How to objectively assess the role of nuclear (‘Nuclear energy for net zero: a strategy for action’)
What needs to be considered when planning new reactors at scale (‘Siting implications of nuclear energy’)
Unlocking paralysis in decision making (‘Delivering advanced nuclear: the role of government’)

With these papers, the team led a sustained engagement campaign that included:

Galvanising a community of 100 critical influencers e.g. Rolls-Royce, Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy (BEIS) and National Nuclear Laboratory via direct engagement, roundtables and LinkedIn to share Dalton’s advice
Leveraging the media, generating +2million opportunities for the public and policymakers to see, hear and read Dalton’s insight in titles like The Times, Financial Times and BBC
Developing a trusted relationship with senior figures at BEIS

Impact date	May 2021
Category of impact	Economic, Environmental, Policy
Impact level	Benefit