Select Committee · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Planning for nuclear energy generation

Status: Closed Opened: 17 Jul 2025 Closed: 31 Dec 2025 9 recommendations 10 conclusions 1 report

The UK is embarking on an ambitious programme of investment in nuclear energy, seeking to reverse decades of declining capacity. The Government is counting on new nuclear to help deliver energy security and decarbonise electricity generation. Announcing funding for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in June, the Energy Secretary said “ we need new …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - The new National Policy Statement for nuclear … HC 1212 24 Oct 2025 19 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
16 Conclusion 4th Report - The new National Policy St… Deferred

Current SUPDC methodology for excluding nuclear reactors lacks transparency and practical decision-making.

We accept the Government’s view that it is reasonable, in the absence of compelling new safety data, to exclude nuclear reactors from built- up areas. It is rightly the purpose of a national policy statement to provide a consistent definition here. However, the current SUPDC methodology serves neither transparency nor …

Government response. The government acknowledges the concerns about the Semi-Urban Population Density Criterion (SUPDC) methodology but states they will keep the current requirement to consult the HSE, deferring exploration of alternative solutions and review of the criterion until after EN-7's designation.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
10 Sep 2025 Alastair Evans · Rolls Royce SMR, Catherine Anderson · National Infrastructure Planning Association, Julia Pyke · Sizewell C, Mike Finnerty · Office for Nuclear Regulation, Rebecca Phillips · Planning Inspectorate, Tom Greatrex · Nuclear Industry Association View ↗