Under the irresistible headline ‘build baby, build’, the British prime minister recently set out how the UK is to begin production of mini nuclear power stations – small modular reactors (SMRs) - which will be much cheaper and quicker to build than traditional nuclear power plants. These nuclear devices may well be needed to power data centres - such as the one recently approved by Northumberland County Council could consume more power than the towns where they are located. As evidenced by the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security at the Alan Turing Institute, the viability of such local mini nuclear power facilities will depend on the preparedness of local communities and their emergency services to host them safely and securely.
- Fraser Sampson Dr Sue Chadwick
