High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors

Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist Excerpts

Monday 19th January 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the National Nuclear Laboratory to work with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency to achieve early deployment of high temperature gas-cooled reactors in a mutually beneficial manner.

[The Minister of State, Department for Energy and Net Zero and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (Lord Vallance of Balham) (Lab)]

The Government will publish very soon the advanced nuclear framework, setting a pathway for privately led advanced nuclear projects. The framework will introduce an assessment process, identifying credible projects that are potentially deliverable within the UK. We would welcome a proposal regarding deployment of a Japanese HTGR, Japanese-led or alongside a UK partner. UKNNL is open to proposals from any country, including Japan. Any developer can approach UKNNL to discuss support.

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con)]

I thank the Minister for that encouraging Answer and welcome him and all Peers to nuclear in Parliament week—my happy place. The Minister will know that HTGRs are classed as AMR technology and the UK is on track to be the first country outside Russia to produce HALEU, the base fuel for AMRs. I think the Minister will agree that the MOC between NNL and JAEA signed in 2023 is too modest. Does the Minister agree that it would be highly desirable in terms of securing the UK supply chain and employment to accelerate the commercial development of Japanese HTGR technology in the UK? In this regard, would he perhaps undertake to engage with his Japanese counterpart to provide the necessary commitment to progress this technology?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

We have two MOCs with Japan. One, as the noble Baroness rightly said, was signed in 2023, and a second, on HTGRs and fuel, was signed in 2024. We have regular meetings with our Japanese counterparts. Japan has long been held as an important collaborator for us in nuclear. The last of those meetings, the 14th, was held on 3 December last year, and we will continue with regular interactions with the Japanese, who we certainly view as extremely important partners, particularly in this area.