OND meaning

OND stands for the Office for Nuclear Development, a UK government policy unit created in 2008 to coordinate and support new nuclear development and investment. In legal practice it appears in policy papers, due diligence and project documents for nuclear new build. It is not defined in legislation or case law; the term describes a Whitehall unit rather than a legal person. At inception, OND’s remit included enabling timely construction and operation of new nuclear stations (then on a no‑public‑subsidy policy), removing unnecessary barriers, promoting the UK as a leading nuclear market, developing a competitive UK supply chain, and advising the Secretary of State on nuclear safety, security, safeguards, waste, decommissioning and non‑proliferation. It was announced by John Hutton in 2008; the founding Chief Executive was Mark Higson and the Expert Chair was Dr Tim Stone CBE. The OND brand is now largely historical. Its functions were absorbed into DECC and later BEIS, and are currently within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with delivery support from Great British Nuclear. Nuclear policy is reserved to the UK Government, while planning and energy policy are devolved (Scotland opposes new nuclear build). OND has no application in Ireland.