Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 50
50
Accepted
Paragraph: 250
Reduce GDA application timelines through international collaboration and recognise partner country safety approvals
Recommendation
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 part, safety approvals for mature reactor designs granted by partner countries with similarly high standards to capitalise on work previously done.
Government Response Summary
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 projects to explore this.
Paragraph Reference:
250
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
In July 2023, the Government committed to consult in the autumn on alternative routes to market for new nuclear projects, in addition to the GBN led Technology Selection Process. energy in industrial decarbonisation as well as low-carbon heat and hydrogen production. The evidence received will help shape future policy and ensure that the UK’s nuclear programme is as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. The government continues to seek ways to streamline the GDA process. However, there are multiple variables that drive the GDA timetable. This is why the nuclear regulators work closely with the developer towards meeting the developer’s scheduled timelines. The UK nuclear regulators are internationally renowned and have significant positive working relationships with a range of international regulators. Every GDA is different and therefore the possibility for collaboration with international regulators to speed up GDA can vary. Vendors are encouraged to share their international regulatory cases to the ONR to help potentially accelerate GDA timelines. The government accepts the recommendation to examine pre- engagement for new nuclear developers. The department and regulators are currently undertaking several projects to examine the feasibility and best available processes for pre-engagement.