Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Eighth Report - Delivering nuclear power
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
HC 626
Published 31 July 2023
Recommendations
2
Deferred
Para 32
Spell out contribution of reactor life extensions to 24 GW nuclear target in Strategic Plan
Recommendation
The new Nuclear Strategic Plan, that we recommend, must spell out how the current reactor fleet, through life extensions, will contribute to the Government’s ambition of 24 GW from nuclear by 2050.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomed EDF's decision to extend two nuclear stations until March 2026, noting that lifetime extensions are decisions for the operator and regulator. It states it is not in a position to detail EDF's future plans for life extensions within the roadmap.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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37
Deferred
Apply consistent pay flexibilities across public sector research bodies, maintaining financial discipline through budgets.
Recommendation
In line with Sir Paul Nurse’s recommendations for greater flexibility on pay with conditions for Public Sector Research Establishments, we recommend that a consistent set of pay flexibilities should be applied to public bodies in the sector with financial discipline …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that the recommendation regarding pay flexibilities was beyond the remit of the responding skills team, providing no substantive response.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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43
Deferred
Para 221
Publish Sizewell C RAB model savings calculations and Heads of Terms for funding structure clarity.
Recommendation
The Government should publish details of how the estimated savings from using the RAB model for funding Sizewell C were calculated, and provide clarity for the funding structure, by publishing the Heads of Terms for the agreed RAB funding model …
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Government Response Summary
The government referred to an Impact Assessment for illustrative RAB model savings for a generic plant but stated that specific Sizewell C cost details and Heads of Terms are commercially sensitive and cannot be disclosed at this time.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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45
Deferred
Para 226
Communicate a clear financial model for initial SMR deployment, as CfD is unsuitable.
Recommendation
If a single supplier of SMRs were to be available, either through Government choice or following the Generic Design Assessment process, the CfD auction model will not be suitable. As part of a clear and specific strategy for SMRs, the …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that Great British Nuclear's technology selection process is not limited to a single supplier and that the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model is a promising option for SMRs. A consultation on "alternative routes to market," including the appropriate business model for SMRs, was planned for Autumn 2023.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Conclusions (2)
1
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 31
We conclude that it is reasonable for EDF to seek life extensions to extend their contribution to the grid if, and only if, the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s judgement is that they can be safely operational as is currently the case.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomed EDF's decision to extend Heysham 1 and Hartlepool until March 2026 but stated that future lifetime extensions are decisions for the operator and the independent nuclear regulator based on safety and commercial considerations.
52
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 252
Whilst the ONR has recently adapted the GDA to be more suitable for small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, to date no SMR design has completed the entire three step process. The ONR should reflect, both during and after the first SMR has completed the GDA, on the lessons to be …
Government Response Summary
The government deflected the recommendation, stating that as an independent organisation, it is for the ONR and other regulators to comment on their processes for lessons learned, and the government should not comment.