The Welsh Affairs Committee has today launched a new inquiry
looking at Nuclear energy in Wales.
At present, low carbon nuclear supplies 15% of British
electricity supply. With concerns around energy security
heightened since the war in Ukraine, the UK Government published
its Energy Security Strategy which made clear its ambitions for
nuclear energy. By 2050, it aims to power 25% of British homes
using nuclear energy. Wylfa on Anglesey is one of the sites
mentioned in the Energy Security strategy that could be given the
go-ahead.
The new inquiry follows a one-off evidence session the Committee
held in September 2021. At the time, members heard from industry
and safety experts, potential developers at the site and a senior
official at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy.
The Committee will now be building on this evidence base. It will
consider Wales’ role in the UK Government’s nuclear ambitions,
the economic impact of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa and
the development of nuclear technologies, such as small modular
reactors.
Chair's comment
Welsh Affairs Committee Chair, Rt Hon , said:
“For many years, there has been back and forth over a new nuclear
power station at Wylfa. Now that the Government has made clear in
its Energy Security Strategy that nuclear is back on the table,
Wylfa Newydd appears top of the list.
“Our Committee is keen to scrutinise the Government’s plans to
revive nuclear energy generation in Wales, and support for
nuclear technologies like small modular reactors. I invite anyone
with views to submit evidence to our Committee."
Terms of reference
The Committee invites written submissions, addressing any or all
of the issues raised in the following terms of reference, by
Friday 12 August 2022:
- What role can, or should, nuclear power play in achieving net
zero and UK energy security?
- What are the main challenges to delivering the UK
Government’s commitment to bring at least one large-scale nuclear
project to final investment decision by the end of this
Parliament?
- How important is the finance model to ensuring a successful
nuclear project, and is the regulated asset base (RAB) model the
best one to deliver this?
- What practical steps can the UK Government take to support
the nuclear industry in developing a range of nuclear
technologies, including small modular reactors?
- What would the likely cost be to the taxpayer of the UK
Government supporting the development of a new nuclear power
station at Wylfa?
- What is the potential economic impact for Wales of a new
nuclear power station at Wylfa?
