Is a world powered by clean energy possible without nuclear power? 

In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with Julia Pyke, Managing Director of Sizewell C, to challenge Bad Idea #32: “We don’t need nuclear.”

From financing and grid stability to biodiversity and public opinion, Julia explains why nuclear is essential to reaching net zero — and why the UK’s new fleet of reactors could reduce consumer bills, not raise them. They discuss the economics of megaprojects, how to avoid first-of-a-kind overruns, the role of heat in decarbonisation, small modular reactors, and how the Sizewell C project is reshaping both the local community and the nuclear industry itself.

Whether you’re a nuclear skeptic or advocate, this episode offers a rare, detailed look inside one of Europe’s biggest clean-energy projects.

🧠 Topics Discussed:

● ⚛️ Bad Idea #32: “We don’t need nuclear”

● 🏗️ Why Hinkley Point C cost overruns won’t repeat at Sizewell C

● 🔧 “7,000 design changes” — and why copying Hinkley avoids them ● ⚡ How nuclear cuts system-wide grid costs

● 💸 The Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model explained simply

● 🏭 Why the UK needs firm, low-carbon power alongside renewables

● 🇨🇳 China’s nuclear programme and the myth of “negative learning”

● 🌳 How Sizewell C aims to be nature positive ● 🐦 Engagement with RSPB, Wildlife Trusts & Natural England

● 👩‍🔧 Women in nuclear — and transforming the industry’s diversity

● 🏗️ Local jobs, apprenticeships, and long-term economic benefits

● ♨️ Using nuclear heat for direct air capture and industry

● 🌬️ Is SMR hype overshadowing big reactors?

● 🎶 The Sizewell Choir: wellbeing, culture, and community

👩‍🏫 Guest Bio:

Julia Pyke is the Managing Director of Sizewell C, the UK’s next large-scale nuclear power station. A former lawyer who helped finance Hinkley Point C, she now leads one of Europe’s biggest clean-energy projects. Julia specialises in nuclear financing, infrastructure delivery, and public communication.

📚 Recommended Reading & Resources:

● Electricity Distribution Networks study: government responsehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-distribution-networks-study-government-response 

● Aurora Energy Research (national system modelling) https://auroraer.com

● UK Government: Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model explainerhttps://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g

● Hinkley Point C project overview https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c

● Rolls-Royce SMR Programme https://www.rolls-royce-smr.com/

● Natural England – Tony Juniper https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/about-natural-england/

● Suffolk Wildlife Trust https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/

● RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) https://www.rspb.org.uk/

💬 Quote Highlights:

“The thing that stops nuclear being built isn’t engineering — it’s financing.” — Julia Pyke

“Counterintuitive as it seems, building Sizewell C reduces consumer bills.”

“If we could drop Sizewell C into place without construction impacts, there’d be almost no opposition.”

“Nuclear isn’t in conflict with renewables. It makes them cheaper.”

“If nuclear had been built out as planned in the 1980s, we wouldn’t have global warming.”

“We need nuclear that looks like the society it serves — not just white men.”

“Big infrastructure can be nature positive.”

🌐 About WePlanet:

WePlanet is a global science and citizen movement challenging bad ideas and championing evidence-based solutions for climate, nature and human flourishing.

Learn more: https://weplanet.org

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