Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Domestic Nuclear Energy

Tuesday 19 September 2023 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Virginia Crosbie asked about the potential contribution of Great British Nuclear to domestic nuclear energy targets.
  • The British energy security strategy aims to deploy up to 24 GW of civil nuclear power by 2050.
  • Virginia Crosbie welcomed the Secretary of State to her position and noted that ownership issues at Wylfa are hindering progress.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virginia Crosbie
Energy
Context

In the context of UK's ambition to deploy up to 24 GW of civil nuclear power by 2050, there is an initiative called Great British Nuclear aimed at delivering new nuclear projects.

Question

What assessment she has made of the potential contribution of Great British Nuclear to domestic nuclear energy targets?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

The British energy security strategy sets out our ambition for deploying up to 24 GW of civil nuclear by 2050. We launched Great British Nuclear to help deliver new nuclear projects, starting with a small modular reactor competition. The GBN offer to successful vendors will include funding to support technology development and support with accessing sites.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Virginia Crosbie
Wales Energy
Context

Wylfa is recognised as the best site for new nuclear in the UK but a Welsh Affairs Committee report noted that ownership of the site is hindering progress. The site currently belongs to Hitachi.

Question

May I say “Croeso” and welcome my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to her place? Wylfa is recognised as the best site for new nuclear in the UK—if not in Europe—but a Welsh Affairs Committee report stated recently that ownership of the site is holding back progress. What are the Minister and Great British Nuclear doing to transfer its ownership from Hitachi to an active nuclear developer?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

The terms “doughty champion” and “passionate” are regularly thrown about in this place, but when it is a case of championing Wylfa new nuclear, no one comes close to my hon. Friend. When launching the small modular reactor competition in July, the Secretary of State indicated that, as part of a comprehensive offer to industry, GBN would support access to sites for successful vendors, and Wylfa is one of a number of sites that could host civil nuclear projects. However, no siting decisions have been made so far.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific actions or timeline for transferring ownership from Hitachi to an active developer

How: When Launching The Small Modular Reactor Competition In July, The Secretary Of State Indicated That, As Part Of A Comprehensive Offer To Industry, Gbn Would Support Access To Sites For Successful Vendors, However, No Siting Decisions Have Been Made So Far

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email