Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Virginia Crosbie (Conservative) on Monday, 16 October 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 October 2023 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Bowie (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 October 2023 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Nuclear Power

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to support the development of (a) advanced nuclear technology and (b) routes to market for that technology.

Answer

In 2020, the Government committed up to £385m to an Advanced Nuclear Fund to provide funding for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design and to progress plans for an Advanced Modular Reactor demonstration by the early 2030s. In July 2023, the Government shortlisted potential grants from the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund, releasing up to £77.1m of targeted support for new nuclear development.

Great British Nuclear, the arms-length body responsible for helping to deliver new nuclear projects, has launched a Technology Selection Process (TSP) to select the SMR technologies best able to deliver projects by the mid-2030s. Six companies have been down-selected for the next stage of the process. The Government is also consulting in the autumn on alternative routes to markets for new nuclear projects, in addition to the TSP.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
202561
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Nuclear power Technology
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk