Small Modular Nuclear
Reactors
(Harrow East)
(Con)
What recent progress he has made on the (a) development and (b)
introduction of small modular nuclear reactors.
The Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth ()
My hon. Friend will know that small modular reactor technology is
very much at the centre of what the Prime Minister outlined in
the 10-point plan; in fact, the nuclear segment of that plan was
the third item on the agenda and is extremely important. SMRs
will certainly play a part in our nuclear future.
Mr Speaker
Let us land the next question from .
[V]
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
As my right hon. Friend the Minister rightly says, small modular
nuclear reactors can be developed quickly and provide green
energy at very low costs. They can also be located at a range of
sites throughout the UK to enable easy connection to the national
grid. Will my right hon. Friend bring forward proposals to
accelerate the roll-out of this exciting new opportunity to
provide clean energy and create more employment in the UK,
putting us ahead of the rest of the world?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that SMRs represent a huge
opportunity for precisely the reasons he gives: they are flexible
and one can operate them in lots of geographical areas. Next
year, we will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the siting
requirements for SMRs and advanced modular reactors so that we
can develop this exciting technology.
