Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
1
Conclusion
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
We welcome the introduction of a framework that gives a strong presumption of consent for low-carbon generation and accommodates a broader range of nuclear technologies. However, confidence in a developer- led approach is not yet assured and will only come if DESNZ, GBE-N, and the Planning Inspectorate can collectively provide …
Government response. The government will publish supplementary information to EN-7 shortly, which will provide additional contact details for statutory consultees and estimates of potential costs and timings, and will continue to update it as necessary.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
2
Recommendation
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
As we said in our previous Report, Gridlock or Growth, there remains a fundamental tension between the Government’s stated preference for a market-led approach to energy and the trend towards active government management. This is especially apparent in nuclear policy, where siting for gigawatt-scale plants has always required some degree …
Government response. The government committed to setting out its ambitions and next steps on nuclear, and has commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to produce a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan by 2050 to determine optimal locations for new energy projects, including …
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
3
Recommendation
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
When designating EN-7, the Government should publish a plan with its preferred level and mix of nuclear technologies, indicative deployment timelines, and the role of EN-6 sites potentially suitable for gigawatt-scale plants. Each part of this plan should explain the role of GBE-N in facilitating it. (Recommendation, Paragraph 21)
Government response. While no decisions have been made on other projects, the government intends to allocate a site to Great British Energy – Nuclear's Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme later this year.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
6
Conclusion
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
We are deeply concerned that EN-7 fails to present a truly joined- up approach across planning, safety, and environmental regulation. The absence of robust mechanisms to coordinate these regimes risks undermining the very purpose of an NPS: to provide a definitive and coherent framework for decision-making. If the Government’s objective …
Government response. The government is developing supplementary guidance to clarify interactions between regulatory regimes and commits to working with regulators and industry for greater alignment. They will also consider the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce and respond in due course.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
8
Conclusion
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
We also recommend that EN-7, or the accompanying guidance, explicitly support the use of conditional commencement mechanisms (also known as Grampian conditions). These would allow consent to be granted while restricting the start of specified works until relevant licences or authorisations are secured. (Recommendation, Paragraph 32)
Government response. The government judges that explicitly supporting conditional commencement mechanisms in the National Policy Statement (NPS) is not required because these mechanisms, such as Grampian-type requirements, are already in use in nuclear projects when deemed beneficial.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
9
Conclusion
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
Guidance must make clear to applicants the burden of evidence required against each criterion. Should a pipeline of DCO applications materialise, this guidance should be regularly updated as lessons are learned, rather than waiting for the next NPS review. (Recommendation, Paragraph 33)
Government response. The government agrees guidance must be clear and will ensure the supplementary information, currently under development with input from regulators and industry, is regularly updated as good practice is established and lessons are learned.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
14
Conclusion
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
EN-7 should expand on the socioeconomic impacts specific to nuclear infrastructure. This includes recognising the long construction periods and the potential for the creation of high-quality, long-term jobs. While EN1 generically acknowledges construction impacts and training opportunities, EN-7 and accompanying guidance should go further in setting expectations for how nuclear …
Government response. The government believes existing DCO Section 106 arrangements and current projects are already effectively delivering socioeconomic benefits, therefore further criteria are not required, but will amend EN-7 to note some of the additional unique benefits of nuclear.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
19
Recommendation
4th Report - The new National Policy St…
Accepted
The requirement in the generic EN-1 NPS for applicants to consider the use of waste heat should be restated in more technology-specific terms within EN-7 or the accompanying guidance. This could better support applicants seeking to make productive use of nuclear-generated heat. (Recommendation, Paragraph 66) 27
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, committing to make clear in accompanying guidance to EN-7 that nuclear projects utilising both thermal and electrical output are welcomed.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero