Eight companies have been awarded places on the £8.7M Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Nuclear Energy Regulatory Justification Services Framework, which will assist the government in deploying new nuclear.
Nuclear justification involves assessing whether the proposed benefits brought by the deployment of nuclear technologies, such as nuclear reactors, outweigh the negative risks that those technologies would impose on society.
In its award notice, Defra explained that it “has an agreement with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to fulfil specific elements of the Justification process, as Justifying Authority for new nuclear energy technologies”.
The companies awarded a place on the framework were AFRY Solutions UK, Assystem Energy and Infrastructure, Egis UK, TUV SUD, Energy, Safety and Risk Consultants (UK), RSK Environment, Frazer-Nash and PA Consulting Services.
Defra went on to say: “The Authority’s Nuclear Justification Team’s role is to advise the SoS (Secretary of State) so that the SoS may determine the class or type of practice (CTP) that pertains to any application it receives from the nuclear industry and to decide whether the CTP is Justified or not.
“The Authority has established a framework of suppliers who have the requisite nuclear expertise to provide advice throughout the Justification process.
“The Authority’s Nuclear Justification Team will use the services and deliverables provided by Framework Suppliers to inform its recommendations to the Secretary of State (SoS) in respect of an appropriate CTP and whether it is Justified.”
The companies awarded places on the framework will “undertake specific analyses and provide technical advice to inform justification decisions on new nuclear energy technologies” and will provide “expert knowledge, advice and support to enable interpretation and understanding of technical aspects and implications of data and information relevant to the Justification assessment process”.
They will also provide advice on evidence gaps, enable access to “expert bodies to approach to provide supplementary evidence where needed,” and co-author “draft and final Decision documents with the NJ (Nuclear Justification) Team”.
The framework commenced on 1 October 2025 and will run for five years, with an option to extend for up to 18 months, and a maximum end date of March 2032.
Defra said: “The Authority anticipates a range of Justification applications over the Framework term. These are expected to form the core of the work commissioned through the Framework.”
The department also said it expects each justification decision to take up to 19 months to complete.
A wide range of new small modular reactor developments were proposed under the US-UK nuclear deal and there is an expectation that new gigawatt-scale nuclear may be proposed in the future.
‘Novel technologies’ needed to achieve net zero
Egis UK & Ireland director for water, environment, energy transition and nuclear Joanne Moran said: “Rapidly increasing energy demands from the rise of data centres and electric vehicles, coupled with the urgent need to achieve net zero, mean the development and roll-out of novel technologies is critical to the UK’s economic performance over the coming years.
“Drawing upon decades of expertise developed in France, our appointment to the Defra panel will contribute to the UK’s ambition and roadmap to net zero, ensuring that innovation and growth in the nuclear sector continue to be underpinned by robust safety, sustainability and regulatory standards.”
‘Independent, trusted’ advice needed for ‘golden age of nuclear’
Frazer-Nash market group manager, nuclear Kevin Murray said: “Frazer-Nash is a trusted, strategic advisor to government and the energy sector on new nuclear.
“With the UK Government firmly committed to kickstarting a golden age of nuclear in this country and ensuring secure, resilient, home-grown clean energy, we know that there will be an increasing need for independent, trusted, expert technical advice to ensure the safe and successful deployment of new nuclear technologies.
“We are delighted to have gained a position on the Defra framework – a testament to our proven track record as a trusted supplier on complex nuclear frameworks.
“We now stand ready to support Defra with the opportunities to come in making nuclear new build a reality.”
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