On Wednesday 9 September the Energy Security and Net Zero
Committee will begin the UK's first public scrutiny of the
potential and impact of nuclear fusion energy.
Nuclear fusion technologies have now advanced to the stage where
Government is introducing planning legislation that will lead to
the development of prototypes and demonstrator facilities in
England and Wales.
Nuclear fusion is the energy that powers the sun and stars: the
enormous energy released when two atoms' nuclei fuse together.
For decades scientists have searched to find safe - and
economically viable - ways to generate and harness fusion
energy. India has just announced the development of
its first privately-financed fusion facility.
Just before Parliament's summer recess, the Government published
new planning guidelines for siting the UK's first fusion energy
facilities.
The Committee has called for much better engagement with the
public by local government, in a speedier planning process that
makes local concerns material to the decision. But people across
the UK may have very different understanding of how
different nuclear energy technologies are likely to
affect their lives, from their environment to their energy bills.
The National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy Generation
(EN-8) has been put forward to help guide planners as
they seek to make decisions on siting the UK's first fusion
energy infrastructure, via their own duties to consult the public
who will be affected.
The Government has been clear that the draft EN-8 clearly guide
planners on the environmental, safety and security, R&D
and operational aspects of fusion energy specifically, separate
from the considerations around conventional fission
nuclear power that many parts of the population are
familiar with.
This short inquiry on the new guidance will conclude with an oral
evidence session on Wednesday the
9thSeptember starting at
9am:
- Paul Methven, CEO of UK Fusion
Energy Ltd, UKAEA Group
- Tristram Denton, UK Director,
Fusion Industry Association
- Jo Nettleton, Chief Regulator,
Environment Agency
At 10.00am
-
MP, Minister for Energy,
DESNZ
As well as the Government's public consultation, national law
says this kind of change to planning guidance must also be
scrutinised by Parliament. The Committee has gathered written
evidence submissions over the summer, offering industry, experts,
and the public the opportunity to comment directly on the public
record. Following this evidence session, the Committee will
report on EN-8.
