Member spotlight: United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory
Dr Gareth Headdock of UKNNL says the Nexus is uniquely positioned to address challenges that could otherwise delay progress towards Net Zero
We're shining a spotlight on the member companies helping Energy Systems Nexus to shape the future of energy.
This week, we caught up with Dr Gareth Headdock, Deputy CEO and Chief Science and Technology Officer at United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL).
What role does UKNNL want to play in shaping the future of a cleaner energy system?
We want to ensure that the full potential of nuclear power is represented in the modelling and planning of our future decarbonised energy system, and that policymakers and private investors have the evidence they need to make decisions.
As the UK’s lead civil national laboratory for nuclear fission, we can gather and assess the evidence on the nuclear technology, but we need to work with partners to understand how advanced reactor systems could operate within a wider energy system.
Why did you become a member of the Nexus?
At UKNNL we believe that nuclear power has a critical role to play in the UK energy system of the future and achieving our Net Zero ambitions. To be successful we need to maximise the benefits of a wide range of fossil-free energy sources to provide a more secure, sustainable and affordable energy system.
This system will be more complex than that developed in the last century. Our goal in being a founder of the Nexus was to work collaboratively with key organisations in the energy community to ensure the best information is available and be part of critical research and development challenges for developing the integrated energy system for the United Kingdom.
What role do you think the Nexus can play in the UK's Net Zero transition?
The Nexus provides a critical link between analysis and action. It is uniquely positioned to maximise opportunities and address challenges that could otherwise delay progress towards Net Zero.
What sets the Nexus apart is its whole-systems approach – delivering robust evidence and cutting-edge analysis that the energy sector needs. By bringing together industry professionals, world-leading experts, and key organisations, the Nexus can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy while enabling partners to share costs, risks and knowledge.
What do you hope will be achieved by bringing a diverse set of energy system actors together to co-fund work in areas of common need?
The energy choices we make in the next decade will determine whether we can meet our energy security ambitions and Net Zero commitments whilst building a prosperous and sustainable future.
Bringing together producers and consumers of energy through the Nexus we hope that we can develop a low-cost, equitable, resilient Net Zero energy system fit for the future.
We're committed to playing a leading role in this collaboration – leveraging our unique convening power to ensure nuclear plays its full part in the energy transition.