Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the UK’s future but it cannot thrive without power. As data centre demand soars, nuclear is emerging as a critical part of the solution.
The government has shown intent, selecting Rolls-Royce as the preferred provider of small modular reactors (SMRs) and signalling planning reforms to enable co-location with energy-hungry facilities like data centres.
Public trust and political stability will determine whether this vision becomes reality.
According to a May 2024 survey by Copper, nearly half of UK adults (47%) would support a new nuclear facility in their county, compared to only 15% opposed.
Yet awareness is low, with 60% saying they had never heard of SMRs. Once explained, support rose to 51%.
This demonstrates the opportunity but also the risk. Unlike other infrastructure, nuclear does not get the benefit of the doubt. “
One bad experience and trust will more easily evaporate than it would for other industries,” the report notes. Pairing nuclear with another often misunderstood asset, such as a data centre, compounds the communications challenge.
Public backing requires sustained, transparent engagement.
Support will only grow if people understand what SMRs are, how they work and what benefits they bring locally.
That means moving beyond broad messaging to meaningful dialogue in planning meetings, community conversations and stakeholder briefings.
The government’s choice of Rolls-Royce as a developer reflects this need for trust.
Research shows people want SMR providers to be safe, British-based and experienced in nuclear – qualities the company already embodies.
But building confidence is not a one-off effort. It must be earned daily, by proving projects can be delivered safely, reliably and with tangible benefits says he report
Nuclear can power AI but trust is the real fuel for delivery appeared first on Energy Live News.