UK Inquiry Tracker

Delivering nuclear power

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Closed Inquiry

Opened: 19 Jul 2022 Closed: 28 May 2024 Parliament page

Due to rising fuel prices, securing the UK’s energy supply is currently a top priority for the Government and is of great interest to the public. The Government’s Energy Security Strategy , published in April 2022, emphasised that nuclear power would play a key part in supplying the UK with … Read more

25 Recommendations

38 Conclusions

1 Report

5 Oral sessions

3 Letters

5 Events

Activity timeline 10 events

25 Oct
2023

Report published

Sixth Special Report - Delivering nuclear power: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report

31 Jul
2023

Report published

Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power

24 Apr
2023

Correspondence

Correspondence from Andrew Bowie MP, Minister for Nuclear and Networks, in relation to the Government’s position on Euratom association, da…

28 Feb
2023

Correspondence

Correspondence from George Freeman MP, Minister of State in relation to the Fusion Energy Programme

1 Feb
2023

Correspondence

Correspondence from the Committee to Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Str…

18 Jan
2023

Oral evidence

Oral evidence session

14 Dec
2022

Oral evidence

Oral evidence session

23 Nov
2022

Oral evidence

Panel One; Panel Two; Panel Three

9 Nov
2022

Oral evidence

Panel One; Panel Two

2 Nov
2022

Oral evidence

Panel One; Panel Two; Panel Three

Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions

18 Jan 2023

View on parliament.uk

David Peattie · Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Declan Burke · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Mark Foy · UK Office for Nuclear Regulation Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Simon Bowen · Great British Energy – Nuclear

14 Dec 2022

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Claes Thegerström · Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co Clive Nixon · Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Corhyn Parr · Nuclear Waste Services Dr Robin Taylor · National Nuclear Laboratory Janne Mokka · Posiva Oy Professor Claire Corkhill · Committee on Radioactive Waste Management Professor Katherine Morris · Dalton Nuclear Institute

23 Nov 2022

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Panel One; Panel Two; Panel Three

Dr Fiona Rayment OBE · National Nuclear Laboratory Dr Ian Scott · MoltexFLEX Limited Gethin Jenkins · Last Energy John Eldridge · U-Battery Laurent Odeh · Urenco Tim Abram · University of Manchester Tom Samson · Rolls-Royce SMR

9 Nov 2022

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Panel One; Panel Two

Corhyn Parr · Nuclear Waste Services Dawn James · Jacobs Dr Tim Stone CBE · Nuclear Industry Association Ivan Baldwin · Bechtel James Richardson · National Infrastructure Commission Michael Drury · Terrestrial Energy Michelle Catts · GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

2 Nov 2022

View on parliament.uk

Panel One; Panel Two; Panel Three

Dr Paul Dorfman · Nuclear Consulting Group (NCG) and Associate Fellow, Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), Sussex Energy Group, University of Sussex Julia Pyke · Sizewell C Paul Spence · EDF Professor Francis Livens · Dalton Institute Professor Laurence Williams · Imperial College London Professor Michael Grubb · UCL Professor Paul Norman · Birmingham Centre for Nuclear Education and Research

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power	HC 626	31 Jul 2023	63	Response document linked

Recommendations & Conclusions

63 results

1 Conclusion

Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear…

Life extensions for EDF reactors reasonable if deemed safely operational by regulator

We conclude that it is reasonable for EDF to seek life extensions to extend their contribution to the grid if, and only if, the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s judgement is that they can be safely operational as is currently the case.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Delivering nuclear power

Activity timeline 10 events

Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Recommendations & Conclusions

Life extensions for EDF reactors reasonable if deemed safely operational by regulator

Spell out contribution of reactor life extensions to 24 GW nuclear target in Strategic Plan

Publish detailed nuclear project pipeline to enable timely investments in new generation capacity

Publish clear Nuclear Strategic Plan with detailed figures and interim targets for project pipeline

Simon Bowen's report on Great British Nuclear's function and form delivered to Government

Publish Simon Bowen's report on Great British Nuclear's purpose with Government response

Great British Nuclear's remit and activities remain unclear beyond the SMR competition.

Publish secondary legislation clarifying Great British Nuclear's remit, funding model, and role in future projects.

SMR Final Investment Decision timeline risks delaying new reactors beyond early 2030s.

Advance SMR Final Investment Decisions before 2029 and provide detailed electricity supply timeline.

Diverse operators of small and advanced nuclear technologies offer future market benefits.

Provide sufficient resources to nuclear regulators to support new SMR and AMR operators.

Provide clarity on achieving the 24 GW aim, including reactor mix and project timeline.

Standardised nuclear fleets offer potential cost benefits with mitigated operational risks.

Choose between standardised nuclear fleets for cost or diverse reactor designs for security.

UK nuclear fuel sector leads globally, with potential for increased enrichment and exports.

Publish a detailed Nuclear Strategic Plan to expand nuclear fuel manufacturing capacity and secure supply.

Government policy on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) remains at a critical crossroads.

Deferring nuclear strategic decisions risks wasted investment and increased costs.

Answer key questions on SMR deployment, technology, sites, and financial models in the Nuclear Plan.

UK possesses a strong and valuable capability in nuclear research and development.

Regulatory environment and incentives crucial for private investment in Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).

Government funding decisions on Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) technologies are critical for progress.

Continue support for AMR R&D programme and make timely funding decisions to keep pace.

UK is a global leader in nuclear fuel with potential to replace Russia's supply.

UKAEA's work created a thriving fusion R&D cluster, attracting global private investment.

Fusion research unlikely to meet net-zero targets by 2050 given current challenges.

Recent breakthroughs and UK leadership indicate growing optimism for fusion research.

Long-standing commitment to fusion essential due to recent optimism and strategic benefits.

Integrate fusion research and development into the Government's long-term energy plan.

Nuclear sector perceived as unattractive for STEM career specialists in recent decades.

Stable, long-term nuclear growth plan could significantly boost STEM recruitment.

Promote advantages of nuclear industry careers to school-leavers, graduates and career changers.

Broadening nuclear sector employment to other industries prevents insularity and groupthink.

Increase nuclear sector permeability to other commercial, engineering, and scientific sectors.

Develop clear protocol for funding employer-specific nuclear curriculum and teaching materials.

Apply consistent pay flexibilities across public sector research bodies, maintaining financial discipline through budgets.

Gigawatt-scale nuclear projects face formidable financing challenges, cost overruns, and construction delays.

Public-private risk sharing for gigawatt nuclear transfers significant cost overrun risks to taxpayers.

Demonstrate value for money to taxpayers for gigawatt nuclear, including full construction risk estimates.

Publish detailed financial figures on construction risk and cost to taxpayers for new gigawatt nuclear.

Disclose best estimate of public risk value and management plan for gigawatt nuclear projects.

Publish Sizewell C RAB model savings calculations and Heads of Terms for funding structure clarity.

Clarity needed on SMR deployment plans and suitable financing models given CfD limitations.

Communicate a clear financial model for initial SMR deployment, as CfD is unsuitable.

Inclusion of nuclear in UK Green Taxonomy welcomed for low-carbon contribution and investor appeal.

Conduct and publish consultation results quickly, reviewing nuclear energy's Green Financing access

ONR's Generic Design Assessment approach is internationally well-regarded and adaptable for new reactors

Generic Design Assessment process faces capacity constraints, expense, and international overlap concerns

Reduce GDA application timelines through international collaboration and recognise partner country safety approvals

Ensure nuclear regulators possess sufficient resources to process increasing applications promptly

Reflect on GDA lessons for SMR efficiency and safety cases following first completion

Nuclear regulation efficiency can improve by running GDA and site licensing in parallel

Streamline planning and environmental requirements, running DCOs and GDA in parallel where possible

Concerns exist regarding creeping delays in updating the Nuclear National Policy Statement

Progress new nuclear NPS EN-7 consultation, meet deadline, and identify all reactor sites

Require Government and Parliament to maintain close review of NDA performance and relationships.

UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority possesses world-leading expertise with significant global export potential.

Establish a long-term plan to expand NDA's international decommissioning work and monitor UK service.

Existing nuclear waste constitutes majority; SMR and AMR waste may require distinct handling.

Require clear understanding of waste consequences, handling, and cost for new nuclear technology approval.

Establishment of a Geological Disposal Facility faces significant delays and cost uncertainties.

Accelerate identifying a safe GDF site with community confidence, without halting new nuclear development.

Correspondence 3 letters