We are sceptical that plans for expanding nuclear, solar and wind power are credible. Government has set itself highly challenging electricity generating capacity ambitions for nuclear (24GW by 2050), solar (70GW by 2035) and offshore wind power (50GW by 2030). By comparison, the UK’s current operating capacity is less than a quarter of each of these ambitions. For example, its nuclear ambitions include a mix of large stations as well as so-called SMRs, a type of smaller reactor untested in t...

We are sceptical that plans for expanding nuclear, solar and wind power are credible. Government has set itself highly challenging electricity generating capacity ambitions for nuclear (24GW by 2050), solar (70GW by 2035) and offshore wind power (50GW by 2030). By comparison, the UK’s current operating capacity is less than a quarter of each of these ambitions. For example, its nuclear ambitions include a mix of large stations as well as so-called SMRs, a type of smaller reactor untested in the UK and not operating at scale anywhere in the world. The Department considers it worth pursuing this (and other nascent technologies) to ensure the UK Type: conclusion | Number: 2 | Response status: accepted Government response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. provides annual updates to Parliament in the form of the government response to the Climate Change Committee’s annual Progress Reports. These government responses, coupled with the various other more detailed p