Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Provide annual updates to Parliament on progress towards energy objectives and risk mitigation.
Conclusion
We are sceptical that plans for expanding nuclear, solar and wind power are credible. Government has set itself highly challenging electricity generating capacity ambitions for nuclear (24GW by 2050), solar (70GW by 2035) and offshore wind power (50GW by 2030). By comparison, the UK’s current operating capacity is less than a quarter of each of these ambitions. For example, its nuclear ambitions include a mix of large stations as well as so-called SMRs, a type of smaller reactor untested in the UK and not operating at scale anywhere in the world. The Department considers it worth pursuing this (and other nascent technologies) to ensure the UK has a range of options from which to select its ultimate power generating mix, and is not over- reliant on any single technology. The Department is creating Great British Nuclear to build capacity, expertise and a regulatory regime to expand its nuclear pipeline; however, in the last two decades, government has only agreed one project which has entered construction, at Hinkley Point C. The Department also says it is tracking offshore wind projects at various stages of development that could produce 80GW of electricity when operating. Should these projects generate this much electricity, the Department would exceed its ambition for offshore wind power; however, it acknowledges that not all these projects will succeed. Recommendation 2: The Department should provide annual updates to Parliament that demonstrate progress against milestones towards its objectives and identify how significant risks are being mitigated. 6 Decarbonising the power sector
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation but states it already provides annual updates to Parliament through its responses to the Climate Change Committee's annual Progress Reports and other departmental publications.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. provides annual updates to Parliament in the form of the government response to the Climate Change Committee’s annual Progress Reports. These government responses, coupled with the various other more detailed publications the department produces on our plans for specific aspects of the power sector, are an opportunity to provide timely updates on progress towards achieving our objectives, and on the actions the government has taken to mitigate risks.