Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

New Nuclear Power Sites

Wednesday 5 July 2023 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister has had regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential for new nuclear power sites in Wales.
  • Wylfa is considered an ideal site for nuclear power generation due to its optimal location and geology.
  • The Minister visited the Wylfa site and Bangor University's Nuclear Futures Institute to explore the role of nuclear energy and hydrogen in reaching net zero goals.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alexander Stafford
Wales Energy
Context

There are discussions within the Cabinet regarding potential new nuclear power sites, including sites in Wales.

Question

What recent discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues on new nuclear power sites in Wales?

Answer from James Davies

There are regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential for new nuclear in Wales. Great British Nuclear (GBN) is actively working with the Government to support our ambition to ramp up nuclear capacity in the UK to up to 24 GW by 2050.

Answered
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Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Wales Energy
Context

Wylfa is considered a prime location for nuclear power due to its geology and potential to support the UK's 24 GW target.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that Wylfa is an ideal site not only to continue generating nuclear power, but also to expand beyond it?

Answer from James Davies

I agree with my hon. Friend. Wylfa is one of the best sites in this country, if not in Europe, for nuclear power generation due to its optimal location and geology. I am confident that the site's potential to support our 24 GW target can be utilised.

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Q3 Alexander Stafford
Climate Energy
Context

The questioner raises the issue of energy storage and proposes using nuclear power to produce pink hydrogen during periods of low electricity demand.

Question

Has the Minister looked at any new Welsh nuclear power plants producing so-called pink hydrogen at times when electricity demands are low?

Answer from James Davies

We recognise the important role of both nuclear energy and hydrogen in reaching our net zero goals. We are committed to a nuclear future for Wales, and I have visited the Wylfa site and Bangor University's Nuclear Futures Institute this year. My hon. Friend is right about storing energy effectively; our 2021 hydrogen strategy explores using electricity from nuclear power stations to produce pink hydrogen.

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Q4 Alan Brown SNP
Climate Energy
Context

The questioner questions if there is any approved small modular reactor (SMR) design in the UK and whether plans to install SMRs are feasible.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that there is not an approved SMR design in the UK yet, so talking of installing SMRs at Wylfa and elsewhere is just fantasy?

Answer from James Davies

Great British Nuclear (GBN) is looking into the importance of small modular reactors to our future net zero contributions, and I hope that there will be sites across the United Kingdom for them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Confirmation on whether there is an approved SMR design in the UK

How: Looking Into

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