The National Audit Office has today published a report on some of the main electricity system challenges the UK faces in the next two decades, and the aims and responsibilities of the Department of Energy & Climate Change. The report will also examine the Department’s policies for encouraging investment in new generating capacity, including its specific measures for nuclear power stations, and the value for money risks that the Department needs to manage.

This report provides the context for future National Audit Office reports. In particular, we expect this report to provide the background for any future reports on the government’s deal to support construction of Hinkley Point C. The report is also intended to support Parliamentary scrutiny of the Department’s role.

Read the full report

Nuclear power in the UK

Notes for editors

  1. Press notices and reports are available from the date of publication on the NAO website. Hard copies can be obtained by using the relevant links on our website.
  2. The National Audit Office scrutinises public spending for Parliament and is independent of government. The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), Sir Amyas Morse KCB, is an Officer of the House of Commons and leads the NAO, which employs some 785 people. The C&AG certifies the accounts of all government departments and many other public sector bodies. He has statutory authority to examine and report to Parliament on whether departments and the bodies they fund have used their resources efficiently, effectively, and with economy. Our studies evaluate the value for money of public spending, nationally and locally. Our recommendations and reports on good practice help government improve public services, and our work led to audited savings of £1.21 billion in 2015.