Viscount Hanworth
Main Page: Viscount Hanworth (Labour - Excepted Hereditary)
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
The noble Earl asks an interesting question. We want to expedite the introduction of SMRs. If we can possibly bring them forward to 2030 then we will do that. The way to deal with this, to keep prices down, is to keep out of the market for fossil fuels and ensure that we have a variable field of renewable energy, be it solar, wind or nuclear. As I said, we are at the beginning of a golden age for nuclear energy. We will set the plans out now, so that in 10 years’ time we will feel the benefit.
Viscount Hanworth (Lab)
My Lords, in Britain we are persisting with the development of pressurised water reactors, both large and small. However, the future of nuclear technologies rests with fourth-generation advanced modular reactors that are endowed with passive safety, which will allow them to be close to clusters of population and industrial applications. In recent months, three projects that were pursuing the development of such reactors in the UK have either closed or moved to more welcoming countries. What can the Government do to ensure that we will not be dependent on foreign suppliers to provide the next generation of nuclear reactors?
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
As part of the initiative with the United States, we are looking at setting up 12 AMRs at Hartlepool, which will provide a lot of energy for the area for industry and around 3 million homes will benefit as well. It will create a lot of jobs in the area and bring great economic benefit to the region, into the millions of pounds.