Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what generic design assessments the Environment Agency are currently undertaking; and when they expect each of those assessments to be completed.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency is currently carrying out two Generic Design Assessments (GDA). Holtec’s SMR 300 is currently undergoing a 2 step (Fundamental Assessment) GDA that is planned to be completed in March 2026. Rolls Royce SMR’s design is currently undergoing a full 3 step (Detailed Assessment) GDA. Rolls Royce SMR and the Environment Agency are targeting completing the GDA in 2027. We understand that Rolls-Royce SMR will provide further information to the public around the time of contract award by Great British Energy-Nuclear.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the generic design assessment process for advanced nuclear technologies is (1) faster, or (2) slower, and (a) more, or (b) less, costly, than for gigawatt-scale reactors.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The scope and schedule of a Generic Design Assessment is set by the Requesting Party. By far the biggest influences on schedule, and hence cost, are the maturity and stability of the design, and the quality and timeliness of the Requesting Party’s submissions. Prior engagement with the UK regulators, and access to relevant information and judgements from overseas regulators are other notable factors in determining schedule and cost.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what generic design assessments the Office for Nuclear Regulation are currently undertaking; and when they expect each of those assessments to be completed.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The ONR are currently undertaking two GDAs, step three of the Rolls Royce SMR and step two of the Holtec SMR-300. Publication of the completion dates for those processes is a matter for the regulators, including the ONR, and the Requesting Parties. These may be subject to change as the processes continue.

Further details on the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR) current and previous Generic Design Assessments (GDAs) can be found at https://www.onr.org.uk/generic-design-assessment/assessment-of-reactors.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government which generic design assessments Natural Resources Wales (1) has participated in, (2) is currently participating in, and (3) is expected to participate in.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has participated in several previous and current Generic Design Assessments (GDAs):

• Hitachi - GE's ABWR
• GE-Hitachi’s BWRX-300
• Holtec Britain’s SMR-300
• Rolls Royce SMR.

NRW participation in future GDA processes is a matter for discussion between Requesting Parties (RPs) and NRW.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have provided any funding to the Welsh Government to support the participation of Natural Resources Wales in the generic design assessment process.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

HMG has not provided any direct funding to the Welsh Government to support the participation of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process. Regulatory costs for GDAs are borne by the Requesting Party (RP) of the GDA.