The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is looking for partners on a project to better understand the cost of nuclear energy.

The Nuclear Cost Drivers Project aims to analyse historic, contemporary and future nuclear projects to identify how different areas of nuclear power plant design, construction and operation could deliver potential cost reductions.

The ETI says nuclear energy could play a significant role in the UK’s low carbon transition, as long as it is cost-competitive with other forms of generation.

It says the initial challenge for the industry is to commission and build new nuclear projects in the next decade, within acceptable budgets and timeframes.

After delivering these initial plants, the subsequent challenge is expected to be delivering cost reductions for further developments.

Mike Middleton, Strategy Manager for the ETI’s nuclear programme said: “The cost of renewables has fallen over time through research, development and deployment but this has not been the case to date for the nuclear industry.

“This project will seek to gather evidence to identify potential cost savings in the deployment of contemporary designs of large Generation III+ reactors and the potential for Generation IV advanced reactor designs to deliver a step change in reducing costs.”

The request for proposals will close at noon on 28 July.

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have signed a deal to advance global nuclear research.