ESNZ Committee questions minister Michael Shanks, the Environment Agency and fusion industry on the future of nuclear fusion energy in the UK
On Wednesday 9 September the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee will begin the UK’s first public scrutiny of the potential and impact of nuclear fusion energy.
Nuclear fusion technologies have now advanced to the stage where Government is introducing planning legislation that will lead to the development of prototypes and demonstrator facilities in England and Wales.
Nuclear fusion is the energy that powers the sun and stars: the enormous energy released when two atoms’ nuclei fuse together. For decades scientists have searched to find safe - and economically viable - ways to generate and harness fusion energy. India has just announced the development of its first privately-financed fusion facility.
Meeting details
Just before Parliament’s summer recess, the Government published new planning guidelines for siting the UK’s first fusion energy facilities.
The Committee has called for much better engagement with the public by local government, in a speedier planning process that makes local concerns material to the decision. But people across the UK may have very different understanding of how different nuclear energy technologies are likely to affect their lives, from their environment to their energy bills.
The National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy Generation (EN-8) has been put forward to help guide planners as they seek to make decisions on siting the UK’s first fusion energy infrastructure, via their own duties to consult the public who will be affected.
The Government has been clear that the draft EN-8 clearly guide planners on the environmental, safety and security, R&D and operational aspects of fusion energy specifically, separate from the considerations around conventional fission nuclear power that many parts of the population are familiar with.
This short inquiry on the new guidance will conclude with this oral evidence session.
As well as the Government’s public consultation, national law says this kind of change to planning guidance must also be scrutinised by Parliament. The Committee has gathered written evidence submissions over the summer, offering industry, experts, and the public the opportunity to comment directly on the public record. Following this evidence session, the Committee will report on EN-8.