(Torbay) (Con)
3. What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on
delivering new nuclear power stations.(901662)
(Copeland) (Con)
12. What steps she is taking to increase nuclear energy
capacity.(901671)
Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)
18. What steps she is taking to increase nuclear energy
capacity.(901677)
(Stroud) (Con)
24. What steps she is taking to increase nuclear energy
capacity.(901683)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The civil nuclear road map reconfirmed the Government’s ambition
to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050. It sets out plans
to make investment decisions about 3 GW to 7 GW every five years
between 2030 and 2044.
I thank the Minister for his answer. New nuclear holds the key
not only to ensuring energy security but to creating thousands of
high-skilled, well-paid jobs in the areas where it is located,
but too often the planning process can take years, even on sites
where there is long-established nuclear use. Has he discussed
with ministerial colleagues what can be done to shorten that
process significantly?
I can confirm that I have had those conversations, and the
Government are exploring the potential for reducing regulatory
burdens for the consenting and licensing of new nuclear power
stations without impacting safety, security or environmental
protections. We are also looking to introduce a range of other
streamlining measures, including the action plan for reform,
which sets out reforms to the nationally significant
infrastructure projects regime.
Will the Minister confirm that Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority-owned land adjacent to Sellafield will be made
available for new nuclear? More specifically, will enough land be
made available to accommodate two 470 MW Rolls-Royce power
stations and their ancillary buildings and spaces?
I can confirm that Moorside is indeed a candidate for new
nuclear, and it is one of a number of potential sites for hosting
civil nuclear projects. Great British Nuclear is currently
running a competitive process to select those small modular
reactor technologies best able to facilitate operational projects
in the 2030s. That said, the project needs to run its course, and
I know my hon. Friend will understand that no decision on sites
has yet been made.
Karl MᶜCartney
The UK’s first nuclear fusion power plant is due to be built a
short 45-minute drive from Lincoln. It will increase energy
generation and hopefully limit the amount of agricultural land
being used to house solar farms. Will my hon. Friend update the
House on the role that institutions such as the University of
Lincoln will have in providing research and training for these
types of power plants and their associated advanced jobs of the
future?
It is indeed a very exciting time for fusion in this country. Our
Fusion Futures programme will provide up to £55 million over five
years to train more than 2,200 people, helping meet the demands
of our growing fusion sector. That will expand our existing
fusion training programmes through work with universities such as
the University of Lincoln, colleges and employers, and provide a
pipeline of highly skilled scientists, engineers and technicians
at all career levels, from apprentice to post-doctoral
fellow.
Berkeley has secured incredibly exciting investment in nuclear
innovation with a consortium involving Rolls-Royce and
the University of Bristol. A low-carbon energy park with
international status at Berkeley and Oldbury, next door, go hand
in hand as the Severn Edge project. The Government have a good
opportunity to meet their energy security ambitions and lead the
way. Will my hon. Friend provide assurances that he will work
with Western Gateway on Severn Edge? I heard him say that the
competition has to run its course, but will the course be run
ahead of the summer recess?
My hon. Friend is tempting me. Oldbury is a candidate for new
nuclear, and one of a number of potential sites that could host
civil nuclear projects. It is exciting and encouraging to see the
number of sites and projects coming forward for investment. As I
said, the competition has to run its course, and no decision on
sites has been made, but it is very encouraging to see such
interest across the country in our great nuclear future.
(North West Leicestershire)
(Ind)
Nuclear power plants come with a huge up-front capital cost. Even
small modular reactors have a considerable price tag, so it is
important that the Government get their procurement right for
once. Does the Minister agree that SMRs offer possibilities for
economies of scale? A large number could be commissioned at once,
giving potential savings to the taxpayer while delivering
reliable baseload supply to the national grid.
Yes, of course I agree. That is one of the huge benefits, along
with many others, of small modular reactors, which is why we are
running our down selection programme, and supporting exports from
this country to across the world so that other countries can join
us on our nuclear journey, investing in small modular, advanced
modular and gigawatt-scale projects over the next few years.
(Strangford) (DUP)
The delivery of nuclear power stations for Northern Ireland is
something that I would welcome, but other parties in Northern
Ireland might have concerns about it. The one thing that we in
Northern Ireland can all agree on is that, as part of this great
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, we must be
part of the manufacturing base and procurement process. Can the
Minister confirm that the people of Northern Ireland will have
that opportunity?
Not only can I confirm that, but I put on record my support to
all the companies in Northern Ireland that are already integral
to the supply chain for our nuclear sector. Our nuclear revival
not only will deliver a more secure, robust and clean energy
baseload, but has the potential to create thousands of new
manufacturing and supply chain jobs across the country, and I
want that to impact positively on every corner of our United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Southampton, Test)
(Lab)
Contrary to propaganda from the Conservative side, the last
Labour Government handed over a detailed nuclear development plan
that ran up to 2025, with 10 sites identified for nuclear
development, early discussions with nuclear developers, and a
plan for a deep and secure nuclear repository. Since then, over
14 years, not one electron of new nuclear power has been
produced, Hinkley C is now at risk of further delays and no
progress at all has been made on the establishment of a secure
storage site for nuclear waste. What assurances can the Minister
give that lessons have been learned from that frankly fairly
lamentable stewardship of the previous plan, and that the latest
plan is set up to deliver?
I have never been accused of propagandising before. It is a
matter of pride on the Conservative Benches that every single
nuclear project that has ever been completed in this country has
been completed under a Conservative Government—it does not look
as though that is likely to change any time soon, despite the
protestations and near-Damascene conversion of Labour Front
Benchers on nuclear over the past few years. We are carrying on
with our nuclear revival; we have set out our nuclear road map;
and we are encouraging, enthusing and investing in our civil
nuclear sector. I am very excited about the progress that we have
made and what will take place in the sector over the next few
years.
