WNTI CEO Speaks on Opening Panel at IAEA Stakeholder Engagement Conference

Pete spoke about his experience at Hinkley Point C, where a well-intended but under-communicated environmental measure- dredging and relocating sediment in the Severn Estuary- unexpectedly became the focus of public concern. Despite thorough testing and regulatory approvals, a lack of early stakeholder engagement led to widespread misinformation, national and international media attention, and public protest, ultimately resulting in reputational harm, delays, and additional costs.

“Surprising things happen—be prepared,” Pete advised. “And remember, stakeholder engagement is not a one-off exercise. It’s about building long-term relationships.”

Pete also shared lessons from his wider experience in Stakeholder Engagement, across consenting New Builds and Decommissioning Sites. “We learned not to assume what people care about,” said Pete. “Often, it’s not about radiation – it’s jobs, education, transport, housing, and community identity. You must understand and engage with what really matters to them.”

He gave examples where assumptions were challenged and adjusted through continuous dialogue ensuring community voices shaped the development of the project, not just during statutory consultation, but throughout the programme lifecycle.

Pete distilled clear takeaways:

• Listen, Emphasise and Do Not Lecture
• Remember “What is safe?” is a Personal Decision

“You can’t persuade everyone,” he concluded. “But you can listen, connect, and build trust—if you stay honest, even in a crisis.”

The panel touched on broad stakeholder challenges across the nuclear lifecycle, including decommissioning and the role of small modular reactors (SMRs), where community benefits may be harder to demonstrate compared to large-scale builds. Pete highlighted that while SMRs may be smaller in physical footprint, they require just as much careful stakeholder engagement to build public confidence.