Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Tuesday 4 July 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government plans to complete a competitive process for small modular nuclear reactor technologies by autumn.
  • Great British Nuclear will work with the Government to determine potential sites for new nuclear projects, including SMRs, in north Wales.
  • Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd received up to 210 million from the advanced nuclear fund for developing their design.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Spellar Lab
Energy
Context

The question arises from the need to establish a competitive process for selecting and implementing small modular nuclear reactors.

Question

When does his Department plan to complete its competitive process for small modular nuclear reactor technologies?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

Great British Nuclear will be holding a competition for small modular reactors, aiming to attract the best designs from domestic and international vendors. The Government's ambition is to select leading technologies by autumn, providing co-funding to any viable new technology.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a specific timeline or completion date for the competitive process.

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Q2 Rob Roberts
Wales Energy
Context

Members of the Welsh Affairs Committee visited the United States to discuss small modular reactors and their role in transitioning energy sources. The committee also noted that parts of north-east Wales are well-suited for SMRs.

Question

Does the Minister agree that while north-west Wales has excellent scope for large-scale projects, parts of north-east Wales would be outstanding prospects for an SMR site, as well as capitalising on the region's amazing manufacturing and engineering capabilities?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

The Government recognise support for nuclear power across north Wales. Great British Nuclear will work with the Government on access to potential sites for new nuclear projects, including SMRs. We will consult later this year on a proposed way forward for determining how new nuclear developments might be located.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a clear agreement or disagreement regarding the suitability of north-east Wales for SMR sites.

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Q3 John Spellar Lab
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The question stems from concerns about the UK's ability to compete internationally in the small modular reactor market. The MP highlights that international competitors are actively pursuing and securing orders, backed by their governments.

Question

Does the Minister understand that while he is dithering around with his time-wasting international competition, those international competitors are out there in the market getting the orders and selling, backed to the hilt by their own Governments?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

Rolls-Royce is a great British company. Up to £210 million was previously available from the advanced nuclear fund to Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd for developing their design. The first-stage selection process will attract the best designs and we are going three times faster than any comparable country.

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address concerns about competitiveness or delays in the UK's approach.

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