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Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Wilson of Sedgefield) (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 15 June 2026

Debate

Contracts for Difference (Definition of Eligible Generator) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Contribution

My Lords, these regulations were laid before the House on 14 May 2026. This instrument seeks to make changes to the eligibility criteria for the contracts for difference scheme, which is the Government’s main tool for incentivising low-carbon capacity in the electricity system. Investing in the future of nuclear energy generation in the UK is central to the Government’s mission of making Britain a clean energy superpower, delivering a secure supply of low-carbon energy. By producing baseload power in the UK, nuclear energy can work alongside renewable power sources, supporting price stability for consumers and minimising reliance on fossil fuels. It also reduces reliance on imports from international actors, which is crucial during geopolitical volatility; that has been underlined further following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war in Iran, which has, I hope, ended. However, over the next decade, the UK’s existing operational nuclear fleet—including four advanced gas-cooled reactors and Sizewell B, the UK’s only pressurised water reactor—is set to begin decommissioning. This equates to around 15% of the current electricity supply on the grid being lost by 2035.

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