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National Policy Statements (Energy)

The hon. Gentleman, who understands these issues, will be well aware that the national policy statements concern not the costs of different technologies, but the planning consents for them. If companies decide that the costs have risen and are not affordable, and that they will not achieve a return, they will not go ahead with the investment, but that is not the subject of this debate. However, we have conducted a thorough assessment of the lessons that need to be learned after Fukushima to determine whether any adaptation is needed in the policy statements. That is why we have reflected further, and have taken more time to consider them. The overarching national policy statement, EN-1, sets out the need for each of the different energy infrastructure technologies. It makes clear that we need a diverse mix to provide affordable, clean energy. It explains the Government's policy on clean coal with carbon capture and storage and the need for gas and biomass electricity generation plants to be ““carbon capture ready””, and sets out the part that renewables and new nuclear power stations will play in meeting our emissions reductions targets.