Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nuclear Energy Capacity

Tuesday 21 May 2024 · 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The civil nuclear road map aims to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050, with investment decisions for 3 GW to 7 GW every five years between 2030 and 2044.
  • The small modular reactor technology selection process is in the tender phase, allowing vendors to bid for multibillion-pound technology development contracts.
  • The Minister is willing to meet to discuss how Northern Ireland can benefit from the expansion of nuclear capacity in the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Energy
Context

The question stems from discussions about increasing nuclear power generation in the UK.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase nuclear energy capacity?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

The civil nuclear road map reconfirmed the Government's ambition to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050. The road map sets out plans to make investment decisions concerning 3 GW to 7 GW every five years between 2030 and 2044.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Energy
Context

The discussion revolves around the role of small modular reactors in expanding nuclear energy production.

Question

What action is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that the development of small modular nuclear reactors is enhanced and brought forward, because that is the fastest way to get nuclear energy into our network?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

The small modular reactor technology selection process continues to progress quickly and is currently in the tender phase, allowing vendors to bid for potentially multibillion-pound technology development contracts. Companies will have until June to submit their tender responses, at which point Great British Energy will evaluate bids and negotiate final contracts.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Energy
Context

The question arises from discussions on expanding nuclear power and its potential regional impacts.

Question

When will Northern Ireland get the same advantage in terms of technology development for small modular reactors?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

I am keen to ensure that every part of our great United Kingdom benefits from the expansion of nuclear power. I would be happy to meet him at any time to explore what benefits can be accrued in Northern Ireland from the expansion of our nuclear capacity here in the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or commitment for Northern Ireland's inclusion

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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