Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
Paragraph: 79
Mandate Great British Nuclear to plan and deliver a programme for nuclear generating sites.
Recommendation
We have heard strong representations from the nuclear sector for greater clarity and commitment from the UK Government on its ambitions. We put these representations to the UK Government ahead of the Spring Budget and welcome the launch of Great British Nuclear, as we called for. However, we are yet to see the detail of how this body will function. We recommend that GBN is given a mandate to plan and deliver a programme for nuclear generating sites in order to provide much needed clarity to the whole industry.
Government Response Summary
The government states Great British Nuclear (GBN) has been launched with funding to drive new nuclear projects. GBN's first priority is to launch a competitive process for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies, with market engagement already underway and a down-selection process planned for summer, aiming for decisions by autumn. GBN will provide co-funding, work on financing and site arrangements, and support consideration of large Gigawatt-scale projects.
Paragraph Reference:
79
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
To deliver the government programme of new nuclear projects beyond Sizewell C, we have launched GBN, as an arms-length body responsible for driving delivery of new nuclear projects, backed with funding it needs. GBN will operate through British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL). The first priority for GBN is to launch a competitive process to select the best Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies. This began in April with market engagement as the first phase. The second phase – the down-selection process - will be launched in the summer, with an ambition to assess and decide on the leading technologies by autumn. The Government will provide co-funding that will be deployed by GBN to support the development of these selected technologies and will work with successful bidders on ensuring the right financing and site arrangements are in place, in line with its commitment to take two Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) next parliament. The total level of development funding will be subject to future Spending Reviews. In addition, GBN will work with wider Government on access to potential sites for new nuclear projects to achieve our long-term ambition. The initial focus for GBN will be on SMRs but GBN will also support the Government’s consideration of further large Gigawatt-scale projects to help us deliver on our net zero ambitions.