UK Inquiry Tracker

Planning for nuclear energy generation

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Closed Inquiry

Opened: 17 Jul 2025 Closed: 31 Dec 2025 Parliament page

The UK is embarking on an ambitious programme of investment in nuclear energy, seeking to reverse decades of declining capacity. The Government is counting on new nuclear to help deliver energy security and decarbonise electricity generation. Announcing funding for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in June, the Energy Secretary … Read more The UK is embarking on an ambitious programme of investment in nuclear energy, seeking to reverse decades of declining capacity. The Government is counting on new nuclear to help deliver energy security and decarbonise electricity generation. Announcing funding for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in June, the Energy Secretary said “ we need new nuclear to deliver a golden age of clean energy abundance .” But past promises of a golden age of nuclear energy have so far failed to materialise. A new reactor has not been connected to the grid for 30 years. Nuclear projects have historically faced unique barriers, including complex regulatory and planning processes. The Government now aims to deliver reforms to streamline planning approvals and give greater certainty to developers. Consultation and scrutiny of EN-7 The National Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy Generation (EN-7) has been put forward to help guide planners as they seek to make decisions on siting new nuclear infrastructure. Under the Planning Act 2008, a National Policy Statement (NPS) like EN-7 must undergo public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny before it can be formally designated. EN-7 has undergone two rounds of consultation: the first focused on potential changes to the nuclear siting approach; the second introduced the full draft text. The Committee is now beginning the parliamentary scrutiny process, offering MPs the opportunity to hear from industry, experts, and the public to examine the implications of the framework set out in EN-7 in detail. What is EN-7? EN-7 is intended to become the principal guide for decisions on future nuclear power stations in England and Wales. Nuclear infrastructure proposals are currently limited to eight sites in England and Wales. EN-7 replaces this with a criteria-based approach. It is also intended to support development of a broader range of nuclear technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), as well as traditional gigawatt-scale plants. The aim is to create a future-proof planning framework that enables a pipeline of new nuclear projects to come forward. Call for Evidence The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee is now inviting written submissions to help assess whether EN-7 provides a coherent and effective framework for enabling the UK’s nuclear ambitions. Show less

9 Recommendations

10 Conclusions

1 Report

1 Oral session

1 Event

Activity timeline 4 events

19 Nov
2025

Report published

3rd Special Report – The new National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation: Government Response

24 Oct
2025

Report published

4th Report - The new National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation

10 Sep
2025

Oral evidence

10 Sep
2025

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster

Oral evidence

Oral evidence sessions 1 session

10 Sep 2025

View on parliament.uk

Oral evidence

Alastair Evans · Rolls Royce SMR Catherine Anderson · National Infrastructure Planning Association Julia Pyke · Sizewell C Mike Finnerty · Office for Nuclear Regulation Rebecca Phillips · Planning Inspectorate Tom Greatrex · Nuclear Industry Association

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
4th Report - The new National Policy Statement for nuclear energ…	HC 1212	24 Oct 2025	19	Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 result

16 Conclusion Deferred

4th Report - The new National Poli…

Current SUPDC methodology for excluding nuclear reactors lacks transparency and practical decision-making.

We accept the Government’s view that it is reasonable, in the absence of compelling new safety data, to exclude nuclear reactors from built- up areas. It is rightly the purpose of a national policy statement to provide a consistent definition … Read more

Government Response

The government acknowledges the concerns about the Semi-Urban Population Density Criterion (SUPDC) methodology but states they will keep the current requirement to consult the HSE, deferring exploration of alternative solutions and review of the criterion until after EN-7's designation.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

View details

Government Response AI assessment · 19 of 9 classified

Accepted 8

Accepted in Part 2

Acknowledged 4

Deferred 1

Rejected 4

Total 9 recs + 10 conclusions