Consultation outcome

Approach to siting new nuclear power stations beyond 2025

From:
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Published
11 January 2024
Last updated
6 February 2025 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Detail of outcome

We published the government response to this consultation as part of the follow-up consultation on the Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7) that launched on 6 February 2025.

Detail of feedback received

We received 141 responses to this consultation from the following types of respondents:

  • members of the general public
  • community groups
  • environmental advocates
  • industry professionals and expert
  • regulators
  • academics and researcher
  • local authorities
  • non-governmental organisations (NGO)

The consultation set out proposals to broaden the scope of EN-7 to:

  • include new nuclear technologies such as SMRs and AMRs
  • empower developers to select sites utilising a criteria-based approach
  • remove deployment time limits

Responses overall agreed with these proposals, including agreement from nuclear industry organisations, energy experts, regulators and local authorities. Views on the proposed criteria for a new siting policy differed across respondents, with some criteria receiving strong support for inclusion over others.

The follow on consultation document contains a summary of the responses to each question.

Original consultation

Summary

We're seeking views on the proposed policy approach for siting new nuclear power stations for a new Nuclear National Policy Statement.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The purpose of this consultation is to begin the process towards designating a new Nuclear National Policy Statement, applicable to nuclear power stations expected to deploy beyond 2025.

We have proposed some material updates to the existing policy for siting nuclear power stations have been proposed and would like views on the changes ahead of finalising the policy.

This consultation focuses on the overall policy approach before a further formal consultation on the new draft National Policy Statement.

See also:

Read our consultation privacy notice.

Documents

National Policy Statement for new nuclear power generation: new approach to siting beyond 2025 - consultation document

PDF, 586 KB, 59 pages

Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment of the new National Policy Statement for nuclear power generation: Habitats regulations methodology report

PDF, 326 KB, 28 pages

Appraisal of Sustainability scoping report

PDF, 651 KB, 91 pages

AoS scoping report appendices A: Review of plans, policies and programmes, and B: Baseline data

PDF, 2.49 MB, 304 pages

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AoS scoping report appendix C1: Baseline maps - England

PDF, 201 MB, 11 pages

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AoS scoping report appendix C2: Baseline maps - Wales

PDF, 162 MB, 11 pages

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Datganiad Polisi Cenedlaethol ar gyfer cynhyrchu ynni niwclear newydd: ymgynghoriad ar y dull newydd o leoli ar ôl 2025

PDF, 696 KB, 58 pages

Arfarniad o Asesiad Rheoliadau Cynaliadwyedd a Chynefinoedd o’r Datganiad Polisi Cenedlaethol Newydd ar gyfer Cynhyrchu Pŵer Niwclear (EN-7): Adroddiad ar Fethodoleg y Rheoliadau Cynefinoedd

PDF, 362 KB, 28 pages

Adroddiad Cwmpasu Arfarniad o Gynaliadwyedd

PDF, 776 KB, 118 pages

Updates to this page

Published 11 January 2024
Last updated 6 February 2025 + show all updates

  1. The government response to this consultation has been published as part of a follow on consultation.

  2. Added AoS scoping report baseline maps for England and Wales.

  3. First published.

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