Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Thursday, 31 March 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 April 2022. It was answered by Greg Hands (Conservative) on Monday, 25 April 2022 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Nuclear Power Stations: China

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the impact of potential generic faults in the design of key safety interior components of the first completed prototype EPR reactor pressure vessel at Taishan nuclear power plant on the EPR being (i) constructed at Hinkley Point in Somerset and (ii) proposed for Sizewell C in Suffolk; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Government continues to engage regularly with representatives from both EDF Energy and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on a wide range of matters relating to nuclear reactors. The Government understands that investigations are still ongoing at Taishan into the root cause of the failed fuel issue. The ONR, the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, have reported that Unit 1 of the Taishan plant is not currently operational while the analysis and review of root causes is ongoing. The ONR remains in contact with their international counterparts, including the Chinese and French regulators. The ONR will ensure that the developer of Hinkley Point C considers and addresses the learning from Taishan. If the ONR judged that any reactor was unsafe, they would not allow it to be built or to operate in the UK.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 151045
Session: 2021-22
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: China Nuclear power stations Safety Nuclear reactors Pressure vessels Hinkley Point C power station Sizewell C power station
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk