Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nuclear Fusion: Energy Provision

Tuesday 23 May 2023 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government's fusion strategy aims to drive commercialisation of fusion energy by building a prototype fusion energy plant by 2040.
  • Investment of 700 million in fusion research and development has been made in the spending review period to speed up the process of making fusion energy commercially viable.
  • The UK Atomic Energy Authority believes that around 4,500 suppliers will be involved in the development of nuclear fusion technology, with many of them potentially located in the north-west.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Science & Technology Energy
Context

The MP seeks information on the potential merits of developing nuclear fusion technology for energy production.

Question

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing nuclear fusion technology to provide energy.

Answer from Grant Shapps

As set out in the Government's fusion strategy, the environmental and economic impact of fusion energy could be transformational. The Government's programme aims to drive commercialisation of fusion energy by building a prototype fusion energy plant by 2040.

Partly answered

How: Under Review

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Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Science & Technology Energy
Context

The MP inquires about the current state of research and development required to bring clean, cheap, and green energy from nuclear fusion technology.

Question

When I was studying physics at university more than 40 years ago, fusion was a gleam in our professor's eye. Now we have been able to achieve it, but the key is scalability. What effort is my right hon. Friend making to invest in the research and development that is required to bring this clean, cheap and green energy to fruition?

Answer from Grant Shapps

As my hon. Friend says, fusion has always been talked about as 20 years hence, but to speed that up we have invested £700 million in fusion in the spending review period. We are working to get the world's first fusion power station connected to the grid by 2040, with works scheduled to start in 2032.

Answered
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Q3 James Grundy
Employment Energy
Context

The MP asks about the economic benefits and job creation potential of developing nuclear fusion technology in the north-west region.

Question

The north-west has long been home to a large number of jobs dependent on the nuclear sector. Does my right hon. Friend foresee the potential for future jobs in the north-west as we continue to develop nuclear fusion technology?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Yes, absolutely. Fusion technology could be fantastic for the north-west and part of a big jobs boost. The UK Atomic Energy Authority believes that around 4,500 suppliers will be involved in that, and many of them will be in the north-west.

Answered
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Q4 Mark Fletcher
Economy Energy
Context

The MP asks about the economic impact and job creation potential of a proposed nuclear fusion power station in the east midlands.

Question

With the West Burton spherical tokamak for energy production plan, we have the opportunity to further solidify the east midlands as the home of the UK nuclear sector. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the economic benefits to the east midlands of that plant?

Answer from Grant Shapps

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and the importance of that plant to the east midlands could be tremendous. The spherical tokamak for energy production—STEP—programme could support a large number of jobs. When I launched “Powering up Britain” with the Prime Minister at Culham, we stood next to the tokamak—the hottest place in the solar system.

Partly answered

How: Under Review

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Q5 Michael Fabricant Con
Science & Technology Energy
Context

The MP asks about the collaboration between Manchester University and governmental efforts to advance nuclear fusion technology.

Question

My right hon. Friend has answered all the questions that I was going to ask. What work is he doing with Manchester University—I have not told him that I was going to ask this—which is also doing research in that area?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I am going to have to riff this one, since that came out of the blue. The UK Atomic Energy Authority is working across the country, including with Manchester University. Its CEO, Sir Ian Chapman, is very proactive on this issue, and he hopes to work with Manchester University, and other institutions, to ensure that the coal-fired power station that was closed down at the end of March in West Burton is opened as a fusion power station connected to the grid.

Partly answered
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Q6 Caroline Lucas Green
Climate Energy
Context

The MP questions the feasibility of relying on nuclear fusion for meeting decarbonization targets by 2035, advocating for renewables instead.

Question

Even nuclear fusion's most ardent advocates admit that it will be decades before an operational power station is built. At the same time, I remind the Secretary of State that his own Government's target for decarbonising the power sector is 2035, so nuclear fusion will be no help in meeting that target. Instead of wasting taxpayers' money on yet another nuclear white elephant, why will the Secretary of State not fully harness the things that we know will work, which means an energy system based on renewables backed up with interconnectors, batteries and storage, unblocking onshore wind and unleashing a rooftop solar revolution? Why is he not doing that, which will make the transition much quicker and much cheaper?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Well, Mr Speaker, we are! When we came to power in 2010, just 7% of our electricity was coming from renewables. Right now, if I look at renewables plus nuclear—I know the hon. Lady does not like to look at nuclear—that figure was 57% in the last year.

How: Changed Subject

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