Sizewell B: Contract for Difference
House of Commons · Written Statements · 9 Jul 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
My honourable Friend Lord Vallance of Balham, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, has today made the following statement: The Government mission to become a clean energy superpower is about delivering secure, affordable and low carbon electricity for households and businesses, reducing our dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and protecting billpayers for the long term. As we move towards a clean power system, electricity demand is expected to increase significantly as heat, transport and industry are electrified. Delivering this transition at the lowest cost requires a mix of technologies. While renewable energy will form the backbone of the system, baseload power such as nuclear is essential to maintain system reliability, reduce overall system costs and protect consumers from exposure to global energy price shocks. Nuclear power therefore plays a vital role in delivering a secure, low cost and low carbon electricity system. As a source of reliable electricity produced wholly within the UK, it provides baseload generation to complement renewable output and helps reduce reliance on imports. Extending the lifetime of existing nuclear power stations is the most cost-effective way of delivering further nuclear generation. It allows the UK to make best use of existing assets, delivering significant volumes of clean power at lower cost than alternative forms of new generation. This approach is consistent with international best practice. Several...