Recommendations & Conclusions
42 items
3
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Gigawatt-scale nuclear power stations use a known and well understood technology that can deliver dependable low carbon baseload electricity to the grid. Nuclear power is therefore an important option and could be used to produce a domestic supply of baseload power to the UK as part of the low carbon …
Government response. The government committed to publishing a nuclear roadmap later in 2023 to detail next steps for civil nuclear and will consult in autumn on alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
4
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Setting a notably stretching target requires a credible pathway towards its delivery. The Government should publish a clear delivery plan, a Nuclear Strategic Plan, for its nuclear project pipeline, backed up by detailed figures of projected energy production from nuclear for the years leading up to 2050, and be developed …
Government response. The government committed to publishing a nuclear roadmap later in 2023, which will set out next steps for civil nuclear. It will also consult in autumn on alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
5
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
In his previous role as industry advisor to Great British Nuclear, Simon Bowen produced a report proposing what function and form Great British Nuclear should take. This report was delivered to the Government in September 2022.
Government response. The government stated it is minded to publish Simon Bowen's advice, subject to commercial sensitivity considerations, alongside the nuclear roadmap later in the year.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
6
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should publish the report and recommendations submitted by Simon Bowen, industrial adviser to Great British Nuclear, and his team on the purpose of Great British Nuclear, alongside the Government response to this report.
Government response. The government is minded to publish Simon Bowen’s advice, subject to commercial sensitivity, alongside the nuclear roadmap later in 2023.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
7
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The 2050 target for nuclear of 24 GW needs a plan to achieve it, which must include clarity on the bodies and institutions that will deliver it. After asking the Department to provide more clarity on what legislation will be required to ensure that Great British Nuclear can operate as …
Government response. The government stated that legislation in the Energy Bill clarifies GBN's roles and responsibilities and committed to providing further detail on GBN's role in the Nuclear Roadmap to be published later this year.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
8
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
In response to this Report, the Government should set out additional detail on how Government will intersect with Great British Nuclear, including details of Great British Nuclear’s exact remit and funding model, and the formal split of responsibilities with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. To aid this, …
Government response. The government states that GBN's roles and responsibilities are clarified in pending Energy Bill legislation. Further details on GBN's role will be set out in the nuclear roadmap, which is committed to be published later in the year.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
9
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
In its July 2023 announcement on Great British Nuclear, the Government said that it would use the small modular reactor technology selection process (SMR TSP) to identify those reactor companies best able to reach a project Final Investment Decision (FID) by the end of 2029. The FID would include funding …
Government response. The government clarified that the Small Modular Reactor Technology Selection Process anticipates including all relevant planning and regulatory approvals required to reach a Final Investment Decision by 2029.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
11
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Gigawatt-scale nuclear power plants require UK experience—of the supply chain, regulatory processes and the wider energy sector—to deliver projects efficiently. However, the UK may benefit in the future from multiple operators of small and advanced, nuclear power technologies as they have the potential to provide market competition, collaboration opportunities and …
Government response. The government committed to introducing new funding from next year to support new nuclear and implementing a new process from December 2023 for vendors to access regulators on a chargeable basis before formal regulation.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
12
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should provide sufficient resources to nuclear regulators, to support potential new operators of small and advanced modular reactor technologies to enter the UK energy market. (Paragraph 64) Delivering nuclear power 101
Government response. The government anticipates providing new funding from next year to support new nuclear. Additionally, a new process will be in place from December 2023 for vendors to access regulators prior to formal regulation.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
13
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should provide clarity on how it plans to achieve its 24 gigawatt aim, and the expected timeline for these. This should include details of: a) the target mix of reactor technologies, including the desired number of future gigawatt scale reactors, that the Government will support; and b) a …
Government response. The government clarified its 24GW ambition includes a pipeline of large-scale, SMR, and AMR technologies, aiming for SMR operational plants and Sizewell C generation by the mid-2030s, and committed to setting out further details in the Roadmap later this year.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
16
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The UK is an international market leader in the manufacture of nuclear fuels and is uniquely positioned with the capability of delivering the entire nuclear fuel cycle. The nuclear fuel sector in the UK has the potential to increase enrichment capacity, which can provide security for domestic nuclear fuel supply …
Government response. The government highlighted commitments under the Sapporo Agreement and US-UK Atlantic Declaration to diversify fuel supply away from Russia, and detailed over £35 million invested via the Nuclear Fuel Fund, including £10.5 million for a HALEU supply chain.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
17
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
By publishing a detailed Nuclear Strategic Plan, as we recommend, which includes the types and number of reactors to be built in the UK, the Government should provide a signal to the nuclear fuel industry to step up and increased its end-to-end fuel manufacturing capacity. The Government should set out …
Government response. The government highlights existing efforts to secure a resilient nuclear fuel supply, including committing to diversify global fuel supply away from Russia and already investing over £35 million through the Nuclear Fuel Fund, with £10.5 million specifically for HALEU development.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
18
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government is at a cross-roads in its policy on small modular reactors (SMRs). So far it has funded a consortium led by Rolls-Royce with over £210 million of research and development funds to develop a concept SMR design, and now, to further develop the design to the extent that …
Government response. The government committed to co-funding selected SMR technologies through GBN's Technology Selection Process by 2029, developing a new nuclear National Policy Statement beyond 2025, and consulting on siting strategy and SMR funding models in Autumn 2023.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
19
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
It is not uncommon, in the face of an unclear strategy or unresolved internal arguments about financing, for governments to defer decisions rather than take them. But this would be the wrong course. The UK risks losing the advantage of 102 Delivering nuclear power the public investment that has already …
Government response. The government is actively working on several fronts to advance SMRs, including launching a Technology Selection Process, providing co-funding, developing a new nuclear National Policy Statement, and intending to consult later this year on future siting strategy and SMR financing …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
20
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
In developing a Nuclear Strategic Plan the Government should answer the questions of: • what deployment of SMRs it wants to see, if any; • what technologies and vendors it intends to deploy, and whether they will be from a single supplier or multiple suppliers; • what sites should SMRs …
Government response. The government is addressing these questions by launching a Small Modular Reactor Technology Selection Process, providing co-funding, developing a new Nuclear National Policy Statement, and intending to consult later this year on future SMR siting strategy and financing models.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
21
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
From the commissioning of Calder Hall in the 1950s, the UK has always had a strong capability in nuclear research and development. At a time where there is a global commitment to reduce carbon emissions and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels for reasons of energy security, the UK’s capability …
Government response. The government agreed with the committee's findings and committed to accelerating the Advanced Modular Reactor RDD programme, having announced funding for Phase B aiming for a demonstration by the early 2030s.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
22
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Whilst investment by Government in early stage and demonstrator reactors will drive forward innovation for advanced modular reactors (AMRs), bringing them closer to commercialisation, what is also important is the UK having a regulatory environment and incentives for private investment. This has been demonstrated to work in the UK’s fusion …
Government response. The government agrees with the committee's findings and announced funding in July for USNC UK and NNL-JAEA for Phase B of the Advanced Modular Reactor Research, Development and Demonstration programme, aiming for an AMR demonstration by the early 2030s.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
23
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
AMRs may offer new advantages in terms of cost and the potential for co-generation. But if they are to advance the research and development needs to move from the desk and the lab towards demonstrators, and this will require the Government to make decisions as to which technologies to fund.
Government response. The government agrees with the committee's findings and announced funding in July for USNC UK and NNL-JAEA for Phase B of the Advanced Modular Reactor Research, Development and Demonstration programme, aiming for an AMR demonstration by the early 2030s.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
24
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should continue its support for the Advanced Modular Reactor Research, Development and Demonstration programme and ensure that it takes decisions on funding particular technologies and projects without delay, so that it keeps pace with competitors.
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation and announced funding in July for Phase B of the Advanced Modular Reactor Research, Development and Demonstration programme, aiming for a demonstration by the early 2030s.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
25
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The UK is a leading global player in uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel fabrication and has the potential to replace Russia’s contribution to the global supply chain of advanced fuels. We welcome the launch and allocation of funding from the Nuclear Fuel Fund to support the development of the capabilities …
Government response. The government reinforced its commitment to a secure nuclear fuel supply, outlining existing capabilities and its strategy to diversify global supply away from Russia through international agreements. It specified over £35 million has already been invested through the Nuclear Fuel …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
26
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The work of the UK Atomic Energy Authority has resulted in a thriving research and development fusion cluster at the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire. As well as operating the world’s leading torus and spherical fusion reactors, the Culham facility benefits from being part of a consortium of 30 fusion …
Government response. The government committed significant investment to UKAEA's research programs, including over £700 million from 2021/22 to 2024/25, £240m for the STEP Programme aiming for a fusion plant by 2040, and an additional £650 million for new R&D programmes until 2027.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
30
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
To maximise the benefits that we gain from investment in fusion requires a long-term approach to give confidence and stability to investors and international partners and so we recommend that fusion is a part of the Government’s long-term energy plan. (Paragraph 146) Nuclear skills gap
Government response. The government has accepted the recommendation, detailing over £700 million in investments for UKAEA, including £240 million for the STEP Programme to build a prototype fusion power plant by 2040, and an additional £650 million for R&D until 2027. These …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
31
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
It is not surprising that the nuclear sector has not been the industry of choice for many STEM specialists embarking on a career. At a time when no new nuclear plants had been approved for decades, this was a sector thought by some not to be one with a bright …
Government response. The government committed to ensuring the nuclear industry has the necessary skills, working with the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group and having recently launched a Nuclear Skills Taskforce to accelerate efforts to identify and address skills gaps.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
38
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Gigawatt-scale nuclear projects cost tens of billions of pounds to plan and construct before a single unit of electricity is generated. Their long period of construction, complexity, and subordination to potentially variable regulatory standards have been associated with large cost-over runs and delays. For all of these reasons, and more, …
Government response. The government reported that the long-stop date for cancellation of the Hinkley Point C contract was extended by three years, from November 2033 to November 2036, to account for unexpected events like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
39
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Given the demonstrated unwillingness of private investors to take on all of the construction risk of gigawatt scale nuclear plants through the CfD model, it is inevitable that a public-private risk sharing model should be contemplated if new gigawatt-scale plants are to be constructed. The Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model— …
Government response. The government defended the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model by highlighting statutory requirements for value for money assessments and consumer interest considerations. It committed to publishing a full value for money assessment for any RAB project at its final investment …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
40
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should show how this offers value for money to taxpayers and should be open to other alternative partnerships between the public and private sectors as practised in other countries (including those set out in Table 2). The choice to proceed with gigawatt-scale nuclear power should not be made …
Government response. The government referred to its Impact Assessment for the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Act 2022, which estimates RAB could save £30bn, and its published analysis from November 2022 that concludes Sizewell C is likely to offer value for money.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
46
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
We welcome the proposed inclusion of nuclear energy generation in the UK Green Taxonomy as it reflects the low-carbon contribution of nuclear power and may make new building projects more attractive to private investors as with other low-carbon energy generators.
Government response. The government expects to consult on the UK Green Taxonomy in Autumn 2023 and has committed to including nuclear energy in the taxonomy, subject to this consultation, to encourage private investment.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
47
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should conduct and publish the results of its consultation quickly, and during this time review nuclear energy’s access to the Green Financing Framework with a view to ensuring consistency and addressing the contradiction between the two. (Paragraph 235) Regulation and location
Government response. The government expects to consult on the UK Green Taxonomy in Autumn 2023, which will include nuclear energy, to encourage private investment. It commits to transparently publishing any future changes to the Green Financing Framework.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
48
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Generic Design Assessment’s (GDA) goal- based approach is well regarded internationally and is intended to be adaptable for any new technology. We welcome the work that the ONR has done to modify the GDA to allow more flexibility for new reactor designs that seek …
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation to examine pre-engagement for new nuclear developers and confirmed that the department and regulators are currently undertaking projects to assess its feasibility and best processes.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
49
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Some witnesses are concerned that the GDA has capacity constraints and is a lengthy and expensive process given that there are no site-specific guarantees afterwards. Whilst acknowledging the need for UK sovereignty over regulations, witnesses pointed out the considerable overlap of the technical approval process for new reactors between established …
Government response. The government committed in July 2023 to consult in autumn on alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects. It states it continues to seek ways to streamline the GDA process and is undertaking projects to examine the feasibility and …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
50
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should consider how it could reduce the GDA application timelines and the required resources through international collaborations between regulators, and should provide access to pre-engagement for new nuclear developers prior to Delivering nuclear power 107 entering the GDA. The ONR should examine ways to recognize, in whole or …
Government response. The government committed in July 2023 to consult in autumn on alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects. It accepts the recommendation to examine pre-engagement for new nuclear developers and states that the department and regulators are currently undertaking …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
51
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should ensure as part of a specific and detailed nuclear strategy that the ONR, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have the necessary resources to process applications from the growing range and number of applicants in a reasonable timeframe.
Government response. The government stated that a set of recommendations has been produced and discussions are underway to put funding in place from next year to ensure the regulators have the necessary resources.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
53
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Although the reputation and integrity of UK nuclear regulation must be maintained, there are opportunities to improve the efficiencies of nuclear regulation by running processes such as the Generic Design Assessment (GDA), and site licencing, in parallel.
Government response. The government stated that the ONR and Environment Agency are reviewing GDA processes and will report in April 2024, considering options for increased flexibility. The government will also work closely with regulators to identify potential streamlining or duplication removal in …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
54
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should work with regulators, devolved administrations, local authorities, industry leaders, and others to streamline planning and environmental requirements wherever possible. The Office for Nuclear Regulation should look for opportunities to run the Development Consent Orders and the GDA in parallel for experienced vendors who have already successfully completed …
Government response. The ONR and EA are reviewing GDA processes and will report in April 2024 on options for increased flexibility. The government will also work closely with regulators to identify potential streamlining or duplication removal in consenting and licensing, including harmonising …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
55
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Given that the Minister envisaged a three-year timeline to develop, consult upon, and designate a new nuclear National Policy Statement (NPS), and that as of 18 July 2023 the consultation stage had not even started, we are concerned that there may be a creeping delay in updating the NPS for …
Government response. The government committed to publishing a consultation on potential sites for new nuclear developments, including SMRs, before the end of 2023. It aims to consult on the draft National Policy Statement in 2024 and designate the new NPS in 2025.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
56
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The Government should progress the consultation on the new NPS EN-7 for nuclear power and should meet its previously stated deadline of early 2025, and ideally publish the new NPS earlier than the deadline. Any update should identify where reactors smaller than 1 GW can be sited, as well as …
Government response. The government intends to publish an initial consultation on the new nuclear NPS before the end of 2023, addressing SMRs and advanced nuclear technologies. It aims to consult on the draft NPS in 2024 and designate the new NPS in …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
57
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Decades of mismanagement of nuclear decommissioning in the UK—from inadequate provision for decommissioning costs, to record keeping so negligent as to have left ponds of radioactive waste whose content in unknown—has made the responsibilities of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) some of the most challenging, complex and consequential of any …
Government response. The government stated that the NDA already maintains strong relationships and regular interactions with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Treasury, and Ministry of Defence, including engagement on strategy and investment decisions.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
58
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The experience and expertise which the NDA has in civil nuclear decommissioning is more than any other country in the world, as a result of the head start the UK has had in being the world’s first civil nuclear nation. As countries who were later in constructing civil nuclear power …
Government response. The government states the NDA already engages internationally, including supporting Japan, and will continue to explore opportunities and share best practices through existing agreements. The government will also continue to work with NDA to consider enhancing their capabilities.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
60
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Most of the nuclear waste that the UK must safely handle and dispose of has already been produced by previous nuclear installations. The incremental waste generated by new nuclear power plants is not likely to be a material factor in decisions on approving new gigawatt-scale plants. We note, however, evidence …
Government response. The government agrees new plants should be designed with decommissioning in mind and explains that existing legislation (Energy Act 2008) already requires operators to have Funded Decommissioning Programmes approved, with expert advice from the NDA and NWS.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
61
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
It is imperative that a clear understanding of the waste consequences of new nuclear technologies, how it will be dealt with and at what cost, should be part of the decision- making on approving the case of these technologies.
Government response. The government agrees that new nuclear plants should be designed with decommissioning and waste management in mind. It states that existing legislation, such as the Energy Act 2008, already requires operators to have an approved Funded Decommissioning Programme (FDP) to …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
62
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
Since 2006, Government policy has been to establish a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the long-term storage of nuclear waste. Despite this, Nuclear Waste Services, which is the body responsible for establishing a GDF, is not at the point of having found a community willing to host a GDF or …
Government response. The government outlines specific timelines for the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) process, aiming to select sites for characterisation by 2026–27, conduct deep boreholes around 2029–30, begin construction in the 2040s, and have the GDF operational by the 2050s.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
63
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Accepted
The first waste is not expected to be placed into a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) until the 2050s and until then, there is sufficient interim storage for both current and predicted future nuclear waste. The Government should continue work to identify a site for a GDF which will be geologically …
Government response. The government accepted both parts of the recommendation, detailing the ongoing GDF siting process which aims to select sites for detailed characterisation by 2026-27. It also explicitly agreed that new nuclear power plants should not be halted until a GDF …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology