Nuclear Power Sites 2023-05-24
2023-05-24
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussions on new nuclear power sites in Wales are underway, with the government establishing Great British Nuclear to drive forward the programme.
What recent discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on new nuclear power sites in Wales?
The Government have established Great British Nuclear to drive forward the UK's new nuclear programme. GBN will be working with the Government on access to potential sites for new nuclear projects and I will continue to build on the clear cross-party support there is to promote Wales as the destination of choice for one of the first projects.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
There is an opportunity for communities across Wales to benefit from clean nuclear energy with the advent of small modular reactors. The Welsh Government needs to be prepared.
What discussions has he had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Welsh Government to make sure Wales is primed to take advantage?
I had a meeting with the Minister for Nuclear, my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie), and yesterday I met the interim chair of GBN, Simon Bowen. We had a very interesting and informative discussion on this emerging technology, which I think is very exciting and offers huge potential for Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Wales has a bright future as part of the new nuclear capability across the United Kingdom, but further measures need to be taken.
What further measures will he take, for example on fusion, as well as on nuclear energy, which has already been provided?
The Government have set out support for investigating nuclear fusion, but I fear that others might be better qualified to provide the detail on that. What I can say to my hon. Friend is that in all the meetings I have had with various stakeholders, I have made the case for Wales to be at the forefront of everyone's minds as a place where we can have a new reactor or SMR technology.
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Assessment & feedback
nuclear fusion details
Others Might Be Better Qualified
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The government has established Great British Nuclear but two years on, nothing at all has happened regarding new nuclear power sites.
Is this not more of the same broken promises from a tired Tory Government who have run out of steam?
It would be tempting, though time will prevent me, to draw attention to the poor record of the last Labour Government on nuclear energy. The fact of the matter is that we are driving forward a new nuclear reactor at Hinkley. We are looking to bring forward a final investment decision on a new nuclear reactor in the next term.
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Assessment & feedback
poor record of last Labour Government
Draw Attention To Poor Record
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the cost-effectiveness of small modular reactors in Wales, as well as issues regarding waste management.
Has he indicated that he has a better plan that is not nuclear?
The fact of the matter is that, when one considers all the costs of renewable energy, nuclear comes out very well, not least because it is not possible to predict when exactly the sun will shine or the wind will blow. That is why nuclear has a role to play in our march towards net zero by 2050.
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Assessment & feedback
alternative plans other than nuclear
Not Possible To Predict
Response accuracy