Nuclear energy in Wales

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 26 May 2022 Closed: 16 Oct 2023 Parliament page
The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry looking at Nuclear energy in Wales . It will consider Wales’ role in the UK Government’s nuclear ambitions, the economic impact of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa and the development of nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors. Read inquiry … Read more
9 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
2 Reports
5 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
7 Jul
2023
Report published
7 Jul
2023
Report published
3 May
2023
Report published
3 May
2023
Report published
22 Feb
2023
Oral evidence
22 Feb
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
25 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
25 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
14 Dec
2022
Oral evidence
14 Dec
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
16 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
16 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
22 Feb 2023
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Alan Raymant · Cwmni Egino Kiera Harper · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Rt Hon David TC Davies MP · Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Simon Bowen · Great British Nuclear
25 Jan 2023
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Alastair Evans · Rolls Royce SMR Ivan Baldwin · Bechtel Mark Salisbury · Rolls -Royce SMR Rory O'Neill · Westinghouse
14 Dec 2022
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Beccy Pleasant · Nuclear Skills Strategy Group Daniel Maney · Prospect Jasbir Sidhu · Nuclear Institute Professor Bill Lee · Bangor University
16 Nov 2022
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Darryl Murphy · Aviva Investors Julia Pyke · Sizewell C Tom Greatrex · Nuclear Industry Association
19 Oct 2022
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Dr Doug Parr · Greenpeace UK Dr Michael Bluck · Imperial College London Dr William Bodel · Dalton Nuclear Institute, University of Manchester Linda Rogers · PAWB (People Against Wylfa B) Neil Crumpton · PAWB (People Against Wylfa B) Professor Adrian Bull · Dalton Nuclear Institute, University of Manchester
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Nuclear energy in Wales HC 240 3 May 2023 17 Responded
Ynni Niwclear yng Nghymru - Crynodeb HC 240 3 May 2023 0 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Nuclear energy in W…
Broad consensus exists for new nuclear energy generation to achieve net zero and energy security.
While we have heard dividing evidence on the role that nuclear energy should play in achieving the UK’s net zero targets and ensuring domestic energy security, there is a broad consensus between the UK and Welsh Governments, and the majority … Read more
Government Response
The government maintains a positive dialogue with nuclear site owners and has established Great British Nuclear (GBN) to drive its ambition for up to 24GW of nuclear energy by 2050. This confirms the stated consensus on new nuclear energy generation.
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2 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Nuclear energy in W…
Nuclear energy plays a strong role for net zero due to current renewable storage limitations.
The storage technology required for an entire electricity system run on renewable energy is not there yet. Therefore, on balance, we consider that nuclear energy has a strong role to play, as part of a mix of low carbon sources, … Read more
Government Response
The government aligns with the committee's conclusion, detailing its ambition for up to 24GW of nuclear energy by 2050 and the establishment of Great British Nuclear (GBN) to drive the UK's new nuclear programme.
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9 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Nuclear energy in W…
Explain mechanisms for monitoring and reporting consumer risk during Sizewell C construction.
We recognise the high cost of construction of nuclear energy plants and the large upfront investment needed to get a project to final investment decision. We hope that the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model will help overcome these investment challenges. … Read more
Government Response
The government states that existing legislation (Nuclear Energy (Financing) Act 2022) and current processes, including HMT Green Book approvals and Major Project Review Group approvals, ensure consumer interests are considered and projects are monitored. Ofgem, as the economic regulator, will have full oversight and audit rights during construction.
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12 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Nuclear energy in W…
Collaborate with Welsh Government to develop a national nuclear skills strategy for Wales.
If the UK Government is going to realise its ambitions for nuclear energy, investment in skills is essential and serious work needs to be done on how the required skills can be developed. We call on the UK and Welsh … Read more
Government Response
The government states it already works closely with industry and the Welsh Government through the employer-led Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG), with aligned strategic plans to address skills challenges. It collaborates with devolved administrations for a coherent approach, acknowledging education is a devolved power.
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15 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Nuclear energy in W…
Publish a medium to long-term nuclear energy generation programme, including Wylfa and Trawsfynydd.
We welcome the UK Government’s announcement that it will deliver a programme of new nuclear projects. We recommend that the Government publishes a medium to long-term programme for nuclear energy generation. The programme must set out how it will achieve … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to developing a new National Policy Statement (NPS) to outline planning policy for deploying new nuclear power stations beyond 2025. As a first step, it will consult later this year on a policy for how new nuclear developments could be sited in the future, which will inform the NPS.
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Nuclear energy in W…
Mandate Great British Nuclear to plan and deliver a programme for nuclear generating sites.
We have heard strong representations from the nuclear sector for greater clarity and commitment from the UK Government on its ambitions. We put these representations to the UK Government ahead of the Spring Budget and welcome the launch of Great … Read more
Government Response
The government states Great British Nuclear (GBN) has been launched with funding to drive new nuclear projects. GBN's first priority is to launch a competitive process for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, with market engagement already underway and a down-selection process planned for summer, aiming for decisions by autumn. GBN will provide co-funding, work on financing and site arrangements, and support consideration of large Gigawatt-scale projects.
Wales Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 17 of 9 classified
Accepted 6
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 2
Total 9 recs + 8 conclusions