Regulatory update: Nuclear RAB

At SmartestEnergy, we understand that securing a sustainable and cost-effective energy future is paramount for your business. As the UK's progresses towards its net zero targets, a significant development in this journey is the government's commitment to new nuclear power generation, underpinned by the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) funding model.

What is the Nuclear RAB model?

The Regulated Asset Base (RAB) is a financing model designed to attract private investment into large-scale infrastructure projects, such as new nuclear power stations. In a RAB model, investors receive a predictable revenue stream from consumers via their energy bills during the construction phase of the project, as well as once it's operational.

Key features include:

• Reducing investment risk: By providing revenue during construction, the RAB model reduces the financial risk for developers and investors compared to traditional financing methods.
• Lowering cost of capital: Reduced risk typically translates to a lower cost of capital, which aims to ultimately lead to lower overall costs for consumers over the lifetime of the power plant.
• Consumer contribution: A portion of consumer energy bills contributes to the funding of these projects, in return for the benefits of long-term energy security and price stability.
• Government oversight: The model involves robust regulatory oversight to ensure costs are transparent and value for money is delivered.

What Nuclear RAB means for our customers

The implementation of the Nuclear RAB model will have specific implications for businesses consuming electricity in the UK. For SmartestEnergy customers, this means:

• Impact on energy bills: New Nuclear RAB charges will be incorporated into energy bills to fund the construction of new nuclear power stations. These are regulated charges distinct from wholesale market fluctuations, including Interim and Operational Levies, and are designed to provide long-term energy stability.
• Enhanced grid stability and security: The successful deployment of nuclear power via RAB contributes substantial, baseload, low-carbon electricity to the grid. This enhances overall energy security, reduces reliance on volatile fossil fuel imports, and helps stabilise the grid, which benefits all consumers.
• Contribution to national decarbonisation: By contributing to the funding of new nuclear, your business indirectly supports a key pillar of the UK's net zero strategy. This provides a tangible link to the national effort to reduce carbon emissions, complementing your own decarbonisation initiatives, particularly if you have significant, continuous energy demands.
• Diversification of low-carbon supply: As nuclear power provides a non-intermittent, low-carbon energy source, it offers a crucial component to variable renewable generation (like wind and solar), contributing to a more balanced and resilient low-carbon energy portfolio for the UK.

How SmartestEnergy can support you

At SmartestEnergy, we are committed to keeping our customers informed about key regulatory changes that impact the energy market and your business. Our expertise in energy procurement and market insights can help you understand the nuances of the Nuclear RAB model and its implications for your specific operations.

Timings and rates regarding the introduction of the new Nuclear RAB are still to be confirmed by Elexon.  We will provide more information once this is available, alongside detailed explanations of how the Nuclear RAB charges will appear on your invoices and its contribution to your overall energy costs.