Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure voltage stability if Torness power station closes as planned in 2028.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In December 2024, EDF announced the extension of the lifetime of Torness by a further 2 years until March 2030. As set out in our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, nuclear will continue to play a key role in the energy system beyond 2030 with the continued operation of Sizewell B and delivery of new build projects such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and advanced nuclear projects including GBE-N's SMR programme.
Energy security is a priority for the government. The Capacity Market is the UK Government’s main tool for ensuring continued security of electricity supply.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for the secure and efficient operation of the electricity system, including maintaining voltage stability across the network. NESO has the necessary tools, expertise, and statutory powers to fulfil this role and ensure the continued stability of the system.
Asked by: Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timescale for the development of the Sizewell C nuclear plant.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Sizewell C Ltd plan to begin operating the power plant in the mid- to late-2030s.
Asked by: Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has a completion date for Sizewell C.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Sizewell C Ltd plan to begin operating the power plant in the mid- to late-2030s.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he made of the potential impact of the provision of funding for Sizewell C under the regulated asset base model on businesses.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The impact of Sizewell C RAB levies on consumers of the electricity system was considered as part of the business case process.
To align with the approach taken for other renewable schemes and minimise distortions, eligible GB based Energy Intensive Industries are exempt from the nuclear RAB policy costs.
Analysis shows Sizewell C could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system once operational - leading to cheaper power for consumers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sizewell-c-value-for-money-assessment
The Government remains committed to supporting businesses with electricity costs. This includes targeted reliefs and broader efforts to ensure prices remain fair, competitive, and reflective of a well-functioning energy market.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help support businesses affected by the Regulated Asset Base levy for Sizewell C.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The impact of Sizewell C RAB levies on consumers of the electricity system was considered as part of the business case process.
To align with the approach taken for other renewable schemes and minimise distortions, eligible GB based Energy Intensive Industries are exempt from the nuclear RAB policy costs.
Analysis shows Sizewell C could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system once operational - leading to cheaper power for consumers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sizewell-c-value-for-money-assessment
The Government remains committed to supporting businesses with electricity costs. This includes targeted reliefs and broader efforts to ensure prices remain fair, competitive, and reflective of a well-functioning energy market.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 76240 on Sizewell C Power Station, what proportion of the forgings will be produced in the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Sizewell C is committed to supporting the UK steel industry throughout the construction period. It is a signatory of the UK Steel Charter and remains committed to maximising UK steel within its construction plans.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of castings and forgings for Sizewell C will be produced in the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Sizewell C plans to award 70% of construction value to British businesses, and the supply chain is expected to include 3500 British companies, from all four parts of the UK. The project has already placed more than £4bn-worth of contracts with UK companies.
Sizewell C will be a second of a kind project, as an above ground replica of Hinkley Point C. As well as the design, Sizewell C will replicate many aspects of Hinkley’s supply chain; this is expected to give greater certainty of cost and construction requirements, which will ultimately benefit UK taxpayers and consumers.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Government press release entitled Sizewell C gets green light with final investment decision, published on 22 July 2025, for what reason the Government's funding for Sizewell C will be made through the National Wealth Fund.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The National Wealth Fund is the provider of the Government’s loan for Sizewell C. This enables the project to benefit from the NWF’s operationally independent infrastructure finance expertise. Sizewell C is also a strong fit with the NWF’s mandate, as one of the UK’s top clean energy priorities, and will bring significant regional economic growth benefits.
Asked by: Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish summary-level modelling of the (a) environmental and (b) public health impact of terrorist attacks at Sizewell C.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We do not publish modelling on the likely impacts of terrorist attacks on the UK’s civil nuclear sites beyond the information included in the public National Risk Register on the grounds of national security. DESNZ officials contribute detailed modelling on potential impacts as part of their contribution to the National Security Risk Assessment, which underpins the National Risk Register.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the press release entitled Sizewell C gets green light with final investment decision, published on 22 July 2025, whether the National Wealth Fund is expected to return the additional capital provided to it by HM Treasury.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is the provider of the Government’s loan for Sizewell C. This enables the project to benefit from the NWF’s operationally independent infrastructure finance expertise.
The NWF will repay the debt provided by HM Treasury following repayments made by Sizewell C to the NWF. The associated profit will be recycled to consumers, helping to keep the impact of Sizewell C on consumers’ bills low.