Select committee: Welsh Affairs Committee

The future of nuclear power in Wales inquiry

Closed Opened 20 Jan 2016 Closed 20 Oct 2016
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Government Response Special Report: The future of nuclear power in Wales: Government response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2016–17 Special Report: The future of nuclear power in Wales: Government response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2016–17 (PDF 220KB) The Committee is examining the construction of Wylfa Newydd, the economic and environmental impact of Wylfa Newydd, the decommissioning of existing nuclear power stations in Wales, the introduction of small modular reactors in Wales, and how the Welsh Government and UK Government are working together on policy in this area. Terms of reference: The future of nuclear power in Wales

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 20 January 2016.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently 2nd Report - The future of nuclear power in Wales on 26 July 2016.

The government's response

Published 20 October 2016.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government describes the report as "broadly supportive" of its new nuclear policy, agrees with many recommendations, and sets out a few it "do[es] not support", with reasons.

  • On a Wylfa Newydd strike price, the Government "notes" the Committee's comments and says it is "premature to talk about a particular strike price" until financing plans are better understood. Horizon is aiming for a final investment decision in early 2019.
  • It "agrees" it should try to explain how lifetime electricity costs are compared and says it is "currently updating" its levelised cost estimates.
  • At Trawsfynydd, it "does not agree" there is a realistic plan for continuous decommissioning and "does not see the benefit" of additional funding. Magnox Ltd is "evaluating credible options" for the timing of reactor dismantling.
  • On SMR siting, it "agrees" greater clarity is required and "intends to publish a Roadmap once initial policy development is complete". It says "no potential sites or siting criteria have been identified at present", though a new process "could" reassess Trawsfynydd.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Reports

1 report

Oral evidence sessions

6 sessions

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Date Session and witnesses Source
23 May 2016
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded
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9 May 2016
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded
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25 Apr 2016
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded
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11 Apr 2016
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded
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21 Mar 2016
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded
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7 Mar 2016
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded
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Correspondence

1 letter

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