Written question asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour) on Thursday, 16 July 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 July 2015. It was answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 August 2015 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Nuclear Power Stations: Insurance

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether there is sufficient capacity in the United Kingdom and European insurance markets, or elsewhere, to meet the requirements of the operators and contractors of planned nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom.

Answer: Government is in regular contact with the insurance market to discuss the provision of insurance for nuclear operators’ third party liabilities, including for planned nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom. At present there is predicted to be sufficient capacity in the market, although the availability of such insurance will always depend on the circumstances at the time. Government will continue to monitor the insurance market for capacity in this area and to encourage insurers to enter the nuclear insurance market.

Secondary information