Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virginia Crosbie and Andrew Bowie

Tuesday 28th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

T5. What plans do the UK Government have to buy the Wylfa site and associated intellectual property from Horizon to expedite gigawatt development at Wylfa in my constituency of Ynys Môn? Will the nuclear roadmap lay out a clear role for large gigawatt-scale nuclear projects like Wylfa after Sizewell C?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Andrew Bowie)]

It would not be Energy questions without a question on Wylfa from my hon. Friend, who is such a champion for that technology and for her constituency. We all agree that Wylfa is a great candidate for new nuclear and one of several potential sites that could host new projects—[Interruption.] Ignore the luddites on the SNP Benches. As a first step towards a new national policy statement, the Government will consult later this year on a way forward to determine how new nuclear developments might be located.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virginia Crosbie and Andrew Bowie

Tuesday 19th September 2023 Commons Chamber

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

18. What assessment she has made of the potential contribution of Great British Nuclear to domestic nuclear energy targets.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Andrew Bowie)]

The British energy security strategy sets out our ambition for deploying up to 24 GW of civil nuclear by 2050. We launched Great British Nuclear to help deliver new nuclear projects, starting with a small modular reactor competition. The GBN offer to successful vendors will include funding to support technology development and support with accessing sites.

[Virginia Crosbie]

May I say “Croeso” and welcome my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to her place?

Wylfa is recognised as the best site for new nuclear in the UK—if not in Europe—but a Welsh Affairs Committee report stated recently that ownership of the site is holding back progress. What are the Minister and Great British Nuclear doing to transfer its ownership from Hitachi to an active nuclear developer?

[Andrew Bowie]

The terms “doughty champion” and “passionate” are regularly thrown about in this place, but when it is a case of championing Wylfa new nuclear, no one comes close to my hon. Friend. When launching the small modular reactor competition in July, the Secretary of State indicated that, as part of a comprehensive offer to industry, GBN would support access to sites for successful vendors, and Wylfa is one of a number of sites that could host civil nuclear projects. However, no siting decisions have been made so far.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virginia Crosbie and Andrew Bowie

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Andrew Bowie)]

The Government have published a draft strategy and policy statement for energy policy that makes clear Ofgem’s role in promoting the UK’s net zero targets. However, we are considering the effect of an amendment made in the House of Lords to the Energy Bill currently going through this place on Ofgem’s statutory duties in relation to net zero.

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that the way to get cheaper nuclear projects and cheaper electricity overall is to build a fleet of new nuclear reactors, starting at Wylfa in my constituency of Ynys Môn?

[Andrew Bowie]

Yes, the Government agree that the way to cheaper energy bills and a more secure network is to build new nuclear projects. That is why we have launched Great British Nuclear, why we are working with communities and industry across the country, and why I would be delighted to visit Wylfa soon with my hon. Friend to see the potential that that site has to add to our energy security.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Virginia Crosbie and Andrew Bowie

Thursday 3rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie]

The Government are committed to stabilising the economy, driving down inflation and increasing British exports around the world. My hon. Friend is a great champion for his constituency and I know he will join us in those efforts moving forward.

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

12. What steps she is taking to ensure that the House of Commons has adequate opportunity to scrutinise proposed free trade agreements.