The Nuclear Renaissance Is Real: Professor Paul Howarth CBE

Episode 27 of the EIC Podcasts podcast, hosted by EIC (Energy Industries Council), titled "The Nuclear Renaissance Is Real: Professor Paul Howarth CBE" was published on February 12, 2026 and runs 47 minutes.

February 12, 2026 ·47m · EIC Podcasts

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Summary

In this episodeOur host Stuart Broadley speaks with Professor Paul Howarth CBE, one of the UK’s leading voices on nuclear energy, about why nuclear has re-emerged as a strategic priority for governments, industry and global technology companies.The discussion traces Paul’s journey from fusion research to leading the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, before turning to the forces driving nuclear’s resurgence from net zero commitments and geopolitical instability to the rapid expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence. Stuart and Paul unpack the challenges facing nuclear today, including high upfront capital costs, supply chain constraints, skills shortages and the need for long-term policy certainty.They explore how SMRs and advanced modular reactors could unlock new markets, lower costs through fleet deployment, and provide firm, dispatchable power alongside renewables. The conversation also considers nuclear’s role in sovereign energy capability, industrial strategy, and why decisions taken in the next decade will shape the UK’s energy system for generations to come.What Is the EIC? The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operatesinternationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin.It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal.EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide.Stay Connected with EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore EIC membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Five Golden Rules for a Healthy Energy Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about EIC Consult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Bankable Energies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at [email protected]

Episode Description

In this episode

Our host Stuart Broadley speaks with Professor Paul Howarth CBE, one of the UK’s leading voices on nuclear energy, about why nuclear has re-emerged as a strategic priority for governments, industry and global technology companies.

The discussion traces Paul’s journey from fusion research to leading the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, before turning to the forces driving nuclear’s resurgence from net zero commitments and geopolitical instability to the rapid expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence. Stuart and Paul unpack the challenges facing nuclear today, including high upfront capital costs, supply chain constraints, skills shortages and the need for long-term policy certainty.

They explore how SMRs and advanced modular reactors could unlock new markets, lower costs through fleet deployment, and provide firm, dispatchable power alongside renewables. The conversation also considers nuclear’s role in sovereign energy capability, industrial strategy, and why decisions taken in the next decade will shape the UK’s energy system for generations to come.

What Is the EIC?

The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operatesinternationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin.

It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal.

EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide.

Stay Connected with EIC

Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at [email protected]