To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment has been made of the risk of flooding of existing and proposed nuclear reactors on coastal sites over their lifetimes; and if he will make a statement. (200793)

UK coastal nuclear power stations are designed to be protected against flooding, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires flood defence plans to be periodically reviewed by site operators. HSE would also require appropriate flood protection measures and flood defence plans for any new nuclear power station in the future.

The potential impact of flooding would be a relevant consideration in any future siting assessment for any proposed new nuclear build, alongside a range of other considerations. We will be consulting on draft criteria for the strategic siting assessment in due course.