Welcome to the Spring edition of Industry Link! And there’s been no Spring like this one for the nuclear sector as we await the government’s crucial Spending Review which, we hope, will bring arguably the most important news in the sector’s long history.
A final investment decision for Sizewell C and a final decision on the SMR competition will be transformational for the NIA’s members. It’s something the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves know all too well and which the former talked about in his speech to the industry back in December. Read about it in this issue.
The excitement in the industry is palpable, personified by the NIA’s new Chair, Lord McNicol, who joined the team in January. He features in this edition’s In Conversation and is full of ideas about what the sector can do to make a mark with the government.
Elsewhere, the President of Women in Nuclear UK, Clare Sharpe, celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Cwmni Egino’s Elliw Williams highlights the scale of the nuclear opportunity for Welsh businesses and we give a rundown of the latest Nuclear Week in Parliament, the biggest and best yet! Hope you enjoy reading!
Iolo James Head of Communications
Editor - Iolo James
Art Editor - Dan Powney
Press & Advertisement Enquiries - press@niauk.org
Membership Enquiries - membership@niauk.org
Contributors - Lord McNicol • Millie Beaver • Connor Deehan • David Cree, Exyte Hargreaves • David Malley, MTC • Clare Sharpe, Women in Nuclear UK • Elliw Williams, Cwmni Egino • Amy Davis, Brainwave • with additional thanks to World Nuclear News
Nuclear Industry Association is a company limited by guarantee registered in England No. 2804518
Registered Office - 4th Floor, York House, 23 Kingsway, London WC2B 6UJ
TEL +44(0)20 8629 4200
EMAIL info@niauk.org
Cover image - New NIA Chair Lord McNicol
This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, using vegetable based inks.
16
Lord McNicol, Chair, NIA
Growing up in the working class village of West Kilbride on the West coast of Scotland, a stone’s throw from Hunterston B where his father worked, Iain McNicol, went on to hold senior roles in the GMB and the Labour Party, making him the ideal candidate to become the new Chair of the NIA. A member of the House of Lords since 2018 and an active nuclear advocate, the NIA’s Iolo James sat down with Lord McNicol to talk nuclear, the government’s growth agenda and golf.
Welcome to the NIA! It’s probably one of the most important periods for the sector in its history. How are you settling into the role?
“I was completely blessed with the timing. I was appointed in January and my first speech to the industry was at the NIA-NDA decommissioning conference which was really interesting, especially spending time speaking to the sector. And virtually straight after that the Energy Secretary and Prime Minister started talking about how important nuclear was and I thought yes, my job is done!
“In all seriousness, there are some huge milestones the Government and Treasury need to sign off in terms of Sizewell C, the SMR competition, as well as budgets for decommissioning and hopefully AMRs too. But it does feel like there’s a bit of a renaissance and it’s great to be here at the start of that.”
You’re no stranger to nuclear what’s been your journey into the sector?
“I grew up on a small holding about a mile and a half from Hunterston nuclear power station. My Dad worked on the land, but it was only 40 acres so it was never big enough to sustain a family, so in the late 70s he got a job as an operator at Hunterston B, which he did for the next 17 years and gave us as a family an opportunity to see something wider than just a farm.
“Fast forward through college, I did a Higher National Diploma in building management at the Dundee Institute of Technology—making me one of the few people in the Lords that didn’t go to university—but then I got involved in student politics and then the GMB where again I spent time working with our reps at Sellafield and Urenco at Capenhurst. So when this role was advertised I thought I’m in the House of Lords, I’m a big fan of the Nuclear APPG and I’m interested in what’s happening in the sector and its companies and thought to myself, this is for me”
It’s a hugely important period for the sector ahead of the Spending Review with some big decisions on the horizon. How do we ensure that we build on this momentum?
“We keep on banging the drum and we keep on talking about it, especially the growth potential, the jobs, what nuclear does for communities and for people, those are the stories we can tell about what industry can do. All the other issues, around net zero, security of supply are also very important, but the story for politicians will be about growth and that’s what this industry, when we get it right, can offer.
“The Spending Review is going to be critical and we all know that the UK is in a difficult financial position, but the nuclear industry is one of the ways of picking us out of that. We know the challenges facing the industry, but when we do something well, let’s learn, let’s double down and let’s do it faster, cheaper and better.”
Growing the economy by building out our nuclear capacity will require a huge effort, that means more people and skills. How does the sector achieve that?
“You’re right, there is a challenge but with that challenge, comes an opportunity. And if you look
at the communities where we’re looking to build the next same GW project at Sizewell C, there are youngsters across that community, whether it’s Ipswich or Lowestoft or Leiston, they’re crying out for the opportunity to have a go at those training schemes and highly skilled jobs.
“What it does take is inter departmental working across DESNZ, the Department of Education and Department of Business and Trade, and for them to say nuclear is a key industry for the UK. Those departments need to work together and once that happens you create the runway to start delivering.”
The NIA recently hosted the biggest Nuclear in Week in Parliament ever. Are you getting a positive feel from Parliamentarians?
“It’s really interesting. Those politicians, MPs and Peers who know a bit about nuclear, all of them have their own pet project, whether it’s AMRs, SMRs, further GW or fusion, but there isn’t any party politics. That’s what’s great about the Nuclear All-Party Parliamentary Group, it’s completely cross party. There is a lot of knowledge and a lot of support for the industry right across the political spectrum.”
You’re a proud Scotsman, but the situation currently means we’ll see no new nuclear there, unlike England and Wales, due to the views of the Scottish Government. Do you think that will change?
“There are many people in Scotland, and not just in Hunterston on the West Coast or Torness, who want to see the rebuild of the nuclear industry. There needs to be opportunity for the people, especially as we move away from fossil fuels, and the nuclear industry is the perfect fit for those who want to transition to green jobs. You see in Wales there is talk of a new project at Wylfa which would be fantastic for the local community there, the same with Sizewell C too.”
You were a man in demand at Nuclear Week in Parliament, have you had a chance to speak to many people from the sector?
“I am definitely busy! There’s quite a lot of people in the nuclear industry with very different priorities and jobs so I’m meeting with as many of them as possible and trying to learn some of the acronyms… I have recently been made a Trade Envoy for Kuwait, Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, so I’m quite keen to talk to the industry about how I can help support with international expansion and international trade.
“There are opportunities there to push nuclear, especially with the likes of Lord Watson who’s just been made the Trade Envoy to Korea and Sharon Hodgson MP, who’s the Trade Envoy to Japan.”
And what does a busy Peer do to relax?
“I enjoy my golf. I’ve played since I was a boy back home in West Kilbride, which was just wonderful. It’s one of the nicest things about being Scottish, there’s no class divide when it come to golfing, its just golf. And I’m now a member of a club in Suffolk and believe it or not it’s just about four miles from Sizewell! The work never stops.”
Energy Secretary tells NIA conference ‘new nuclear is
essential’
Reactor Pressure Vessel Installation at Hinkley Point C
Energy Secretary speech at Nuclear 2024
The first week of December was quite the milestone for UK nuclear. First came the news from EDF that the stalwarts of the fleet, the four remaining Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor stations, would be given life extensions, then came the news that Britain’s first nuclear reactor in a generation had been installed at Hinkley Point C. What more could Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, have wanted as he addressed the industry at the NIA’s annual conference?
In a huge plus for clean, reliable power, Heysham 2 and Torness were given an extra two years and will keep producing power until March 2030 and Heysham 1 and Hartlepool an extra year until March 2027, helping to boost energy security, reduce our reliance on gas and protect jobs. Ed Miliband, welcomed the announcement calling it a “major win for our energy independence.”
The NIA’s Chief Executive, Tom Greatrex said of the news: “These extensions will cut bills, cut emissions, and protect jobs for communities that need them. They represent the single biggest contribution to Clean Power 2030 this year and are vital to propping up our shaky grid.” He went to on say that “margin between us and blackouts is a few hundred megawatts, and these stations are 4,700 megawatts.”
In the second major milestone, Britain’s first nuclear reactor in more than 30 years was installed by workers at Hinkley Point C in what was a precision operation. The first of two reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) is set to power 3 million homes, with the station’s two units providing 7% of Britain’s electricity demand with clean power when up and running.
The 13-metre-long RPV is a 500-tonne steel container that holds nuclear fuel used to make heat to produce steam for the world’s largest
turbine. Manufactured by Framatome in France, it arrived at Hinkley Point C in February 2023 last year and has been in store until the installation.
The milestones meant that the industry attended the NIA’s Nuclear 2024 conference in buoyant mood to celebrate what was another important year for nuclear. All parts of the sector gathered in Central London, from new build, decommissioning, fuel, gigawatt, SMR and fusion, to update the rest of the industry on the work completed and what is to come.
In his keynote address, the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband reassured industry leaders of the government’s ongoing commitment to nuclear, stating “building new nuclear power stations is essential.” He went on to say, “my message is clear: if you want to build a nuclear project in Britain, my door is open,” signalling a clear commitment to drive new projects forward.
He also emphasised the broader role nuclear plays in driving economic growth. “New nuclear is an essential part of the clean energy system we are building, but it’s also an essential part of the kind of economy we are trying to build and perhaps we haven’t talked about this enough in the past.”
In a strong show of support for nuclear he praised the industry’s contribution to the economy, noting its “proud record of supporting tens of thousands of well-paid, highly skilled, unionised jobs that are vital to communities across the country.”
There were impassioned and informative speeches throughout the day from all the brilliant speakers and panellists, as well as a busy exhibitor space. It was the NIA’s biggest and best conference to date and it showed. What’s important now is that the positivity turns into progress and promises are kept.
IOLO JAMES • HEAD OF MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS • NIA
Media Watch
In February, the industry received a very public backing from the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who announced planning reforms aimed at making nuclear easier to deliver as well as a new nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, an announcement which was broadcast live on several news channels including the BBC and Sky News. Hosted by the National Nuclear laboratory (NNL) at Springfields, the cameras followed the Prime Minister and the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, as they toured the facility, meeting workers and apprentices along the way. Eagle-eyed viewers will have seen the fantastic NNL drinks cans showing how much nuclear fuel is needed to power a person’s whole life!
NIA’s CEO Tom Greatrex, welcomed the government’s announcement saying the changes would give investors certainty and enable them to get on with building new plants. His comments were picked up in reports by BBC News, Sky News, The Mirror, North Wales Daily Post with Tom giving interviews to Talk TV and LBC News too in which he applauded Number 10’s clear support for delivering new nuclear projects.
At the NIA’s Nuclear 2024 conference in December, the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, gave a his first major speech on nuclear which was covered by several of the major newspapers including The Times and Independent. Building new nuclear power stations will be “essential” to decarbonising Britain’s energy system he said, insisting that investing taxpayer money could deliver “big returns” for the country. He went on to say that despite “this being a time of immense challenge” for the public finances, the government was “determined to drive forward nuclear through both public and private investment”.
If you read The Scotsman paper you may have seen a letter from the NIA’s Director of Policy, Lincoln Hill, who responding to an article painting an inaccurate picture of nuclear. He said: “Your readers can be reassured that nuclear is clean— the cleanest source of electricity we have. UN analysis shows nuclear has the lowest life cycle carbon use,including mining and decommissioning, of any power source. It also has the lowest mining requirement, the lowest land use, and the lowest impact on ecosystems. Scotland should be proud that Torness is cutting emissions, cutting bills and protecting our natural environment all at once.”
In February, another popular Scottish paper, the Herald ran the headline: Is it time for the SNP to drop their opposition to nuclear power? Quoted in the article was the NIA’s CEO Tom Greatrex, who said there are “plenty of people” in the SNP who back new nuclear power. “They completely understand the value that comes from nuclear, both in terms of the amount of clean electricity and also the jobs, skills, and supply chain opportunities that come with it… But it is almost totemic within the internal politics of the SNP to be against it.” He went to say: “Any credible analysis of how you get to net zero demonstrates a need for some low carbon power, ie, that which isn’t really impacted by the weather, and at the moment, that’s nuclear.”
Test elements used at Finnish repository
The first canister has been packed successfully with test elements simulating actual fuel in the ongoing trial run of final disposal at the Onkalo used nuclear fuel repository.
At the repository, used fuel will be placed in the bedrock, at a depth of about 430 metres. The trial run also covers the retrieval of a damaged cannister back above ground. Posiva noted that the equipment and systems of the final disposal facility will be tested together for the first time in accordance with planned processes during the trial run stage.
Newcleo seeks site for SMR demonstration
Newcleo announced it has started the land acquisition process for its demonstration LFR-AS-30 small modular reactor in Western France.
The company has formally initiated constructive discussions and procedures on the siting of the reactor, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining a constructive dialogue with all local stakeholders.
Newcleo’s delivery roadmap outlines the first non-nuclear pre-cursor
prototype of its reactor is expected to be ready by 2026 in Italy, the first reactor operational in France by the end of 2031, while the final investment decision for the first commercial power plant is expected around 2029.
Nuclear district heating scheme expands
China’s Haiyang nuclear power plant has begun its sixth heating season, covering an area of nearly 13 million square metres—500,000 square metres more than last year.
The district heating network is expected to supply 4.6 million gigajoules of heat, which will save 410,000 tonnes of coal consumption and reduce CO2 emissions by 760,000 tonnes. It plans to be able to heat the city of Qingdao—population of more than 10 million—in 2026.
The district heating scheme at Haiyang, which began as a demonstration project, was put into operation in 2019. Each year it has expanded, with capacity rising from an initial 31.5 MW to 1134 MW, and the area covered increasing 20-fold from an initial 700,000 square metres.
Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant currently features two Westinghouse AP1000 units and its parent company says it is the world’s largest such nuclear power plant cogeneration
project. District heating schemes aim to make the most of heat produced during the power-generating operations of a nuclear plant—heat which might otherwise not be used.
Vietnam looks to nuclear plant construction
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has instructed two stateowned groups, Electricity of Vietnam and Vietnam Oil & Gas Group, to complete the construction of two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan province by the end of 2030.
Vietnam’s proposed Ninh Thuan nuclear power project consists of two plants, with each plant comprising two reactors. The Ninh Thuan 1 plant is located in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district. The Ninh Thuan 2 plant is located in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district.
The prime minister stated that the project completion time must be shortened compared with the previous plan, by the end of 2031 at the latest, but with an aim to complete before the end of 2030 “on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the country”.
The Vietnamese government has revived its nuclear energy ambitions— citing energy security, development and net zero targets.
DAVID CREE • HEAD OF QUALITY & GOVERNANCE • EXYTE HARGREAVES
An Atomically Speaking
The UK’s civil nuclear energy programme is now more than 80 years old. Its early legislative history was based primarily on safety, both for the employees of UK nuclear sites and the general public. Various acts of Parliament crafted the overarching legislation which our sector follows today in the shape of the Nuclear Installations Act, 1965.
However, if safety can be defined as the goal (or the end) of the legislative framework for nuclear energy installations, then quality is most certainly the means.
The role of the ONR
The Nuclear Installations Act is the primary requirement for quality on any nuclear project. When considering the interpretation of the Act, it is the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) who takes the key role.
As the industry’s independent regulator, their chief functional objective is again concerned with safety. Ensuring society’s protection is based on an assessment of whether any nuclear installation will function safely.
That assessment mainly (though not exclusively) comes down to the initial design. The ONR will issue licences based on the design (including such things as the safety case, environmental assessment, technical assessment etc). ONR personnel will check all these factors in line with their own legislation, which operates within the framework of the 1965 Nuclear Installations Act.
The role of the Client
The client specification is individual to each project and may ask for different things. As an example, two of our clients have different processing systems for nuclear material. This is based on personal choices around the efficiency of the processing.
Nevertheless, any systems or methodologies proposed in their individual specifications must still align with the ONR regulations. If they don’t, the ONR won’t grant a licence and will force a change in the submitted specification.
The ONR frequently visits existing sites and signs off the design of any new sites before issuing a licence to operate. Whilst client specification is
undoubtedly important, the ONR overrules it in terms of the general hierarchy.
The role of Exyte Hargreaves
Nuclear regulatory compliance is nothing new to Exentec Hargreaves. At the time the Nuclear Installations Act became an Act of Parliament, Hargreaves had already been in business for 93 years. The company became involved in nuclear HVAC during the first steps of the UK nuclear industry. More than 70 years later, our HVAC systems are now present in every single nuclear facility across the country.
Coming back to the role of Exentec Hargreaves when it comes to quality, the key element is the notion of ‘right first time’. In order to keep people safe, any HVAC product must perform as designed once installed. On a micro level this means that a product is manufactured as it should be in our factory without any defect.
On a macro level it means that the product is manufactured as designed and as the client expects so that it complements other systems and processes on the project. But there’s still much more to it…
Quality Management and Governance
Compliance on our nuclear energy projects is one of the reasons we designed, developed and instituted our Integrated Management System (IMS). It defines the processes and procedures we follow as a business. In the same way that the client specifications are informed by the ONR protocols, our internal governance processes are fed by internationally recognised ISO standards. Consider Exentec Hargreaves as a living thing. The IMS is our brain and it sends instructions to the rest of the body which govern what we do and how we do it. This is all driven by a commitment to quality. It’s why our reputation within the nuclear industry remains as strong today as it has done since the 1970’s.
Excellence is a company value at Exentec Hargreaves. By following our IMS we ensure that Nuclear Compliance remains at the forefront of our collective minds—anatomically speaking of course.
DAVID MALLEY • CHIEF ENGINEER CIVIL
Powering the future
An insight into AMRs and SMRs
It is an exciting time for the nuclear sector, with the need to decarbonise energy generation combined with a new focus on energy security. Nuclear power is being targeted for low-carbon, affordable electricity, security of supply for data centres, power for green hydrogen production, and by using microreactors, for space exploration, and power for potential colonies on the Moon and Mars. Nuclear power is a proven technology which supports skilled jobs, and generates significant GVA per £ of investment, meaning that it is already in a favourable position to provide solutions to critical national challenges.
Nuclear power plays a big part in our energy make up, but our fleet is ageing, installed and commissioned between the 1970s and 90s. The end of life for most of these plants is approaching.
Existing UK technologies are either advanced gas cooled reactors (AGR), using CO2 coolant, or pressurised water reactors using water coolant. While such technologies are safe, reliable mature and well understood, they have low efficiencies; a PWR is 35% efficient and an AGR is 41%.
Consequently, the UK and International partners are developing alternative technologies with efficiencies closer to 50%, which will be attractive to prospective plant operators. Simply put, the higher the efficiency, the more electricity produced for the same amount of fuel.
AMR vs SMR
Small Modular Reactors (SMR) have a power output of up to 300MWe, (e means the final electrical output) whereas AMR typically have
an output of more than 1GWe. The current SMR designs proposed for the UK are all light water reactors, (LWR) either pressurised water reactors, (PWR) or boiling water reactors (BWR). BWR operate at a lower pressure, (approx. 80 bar), than PWR (approx. 150 bar), and so less stress is placed upon plant components. Boiling water provides a more efficient transfer of heat than laminar flow and so another advantage is a higher potential efficiency.
The Fast and the Thermal
Fission reactors can be either Fast Spectrum or Thermal spectrum. This relates to the energy in the neutrons produced by the fission event. At the point of fission, the neutrons released have a very high energy and are known as Fast spectrum. In order to maximise the likelihood of further fissions at the optimal energy for fission of Uranium, a moderator is used to slow the neutrons down. These slower neutrons are known as “thermal spectrum”.
Technologies
The Generation IV International forum is a collaboration between thirteen countries and consortia to develop AMR designs. They have identified six technologies as the most promising. These will use modular designs to standardise plant manufacturing, assembly and construction and so allow economies of scale for multi-reactor fleet.
The technologies are not necessarily new; some date back to the 1950s, others are in use in Russia but have never achieved wider adoption in civil
power generation. Materials issues have been the main problem, however, with advances in materials science, these problems can be addressed, meaning that those technologies can be revisited.
The six technologies are:
1 Very high Temperature Reactors (VHTR)
VHTR originally had a target operating temperature of 1000°C or higher. Higher temperatures offer higher efficiency but also additional materials challenges. Stainless steels cannot operate at these temperatures and so alternatives such as silicon carbide were being investigated.
This was reduced to 850°C due the realisation that some end uses, like industrial heat for hydrogen production, don’t need such temperatures. This has the benefit of reducing technical challenges such as material choices. VHTR use helium as a coolant and can have direct turbines in the flow to generate electricity using the Brayton cycle and exploit the higher energies available.
They still feature water to steam cycles, to maximise energy extraction. They will use TRISO fuel for increased passive safety, but they could also use alternative fuels. Target efficiencies are 40% to 50%.
2 Molten Salt Reactors (MSR)
MSR use molten chloride or fluoride fuel salts, at 750°C, usually of uranium, but other fissile elements can be used. These act as the fuel, coolant and even the moderator for the reactor. Some MSR have solid fuel, with molten salt coolant.
The salt passes through the reactor chamber and reactivity, and power output, can be controlled by pump speed, concentration of fuel in the salt or via control rods. Some variants use natural circulation, adding to benign operation, as fewer moving parts means higher reliability. MSR are not pressurised, therefore, if a leak occurs, the salt simply crystallizes at the leak site increasing passive safety. In an emergency, the salt is drained into containment tanks, where it solidifies, stopping the reaction.
The main disadvantage is the corrosivity of the salts, however, as knowledge of materials improved, research was resumed and six MSR variants are being investigated. Target efficiencies are 45%.
3 Lead Fast Reactors (LFR)
LFR have no moderator and use molten lead or lead bismuth eutectic coolant at temperatures of around 500°C.
LFR have many advantages; operation at atmospheric pressure and so leaks crystallize at the leak site and the released coolant is non-reactive with water or air making for benign operation and high levels of passive safety. The coolant has excellent radiation and neutron shielding meaning less external radiation protection.
The challenges with LFR include high coolant mass due to the density of lead and that at high temperatures it is corrosive to steels. Therefore, structural design and material choices are key. LFR use MOX fuel and have a target efficiency of 42%.
4 Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR)
SFR use liquid sodium coolant at around 500°C with no moderator. They also operate at atmospheric
pressure meaning that thinner sections are needed in the reactor vessels, making the plant lighter and more compact than LWR. The reactors use MOX fuel, and can have several working fluids for heat transfer, including water/steam, CO2 or nitrogen.
Sodium has a lower melting point and is much less corrosive than lead and in fact protects steels from corrosion due to the exclusion of oxygen. However unlike lead, high temperature sodium ignites in air and when exposed to water forms sodium hydroxide which is corrosive and hydrogen which burns on contact with air. Therefore, material choices and leak and fire protection methods are very important for SFR.
There are currently two commercial SFR in Russia, and one in construction, as well as several smaller test reactors in China, India and Japan. SFR are being designed in a range of sizes, from SMRs at 300 MWe, to larger gigawatt plus plant.
5 Supercritical water reactors (SCWR)
These reactors take water to the point where it becomes supercritical, 374°C and 221bar or higher. Supercritical water behaves like steam and so can be passed through a steam turbine without a steam generation cycle. This leads to simplification of the balance of plant (BOP) and higher efficiency; a SCWCR has a target efficiency of 48%. Outlet water temperature is 500 to 600°Cmaking them suitable for industrial heat applications. They can be fast or thermal spectrum or a combination of the two.
The technology combines decades of knowledge on supercritical water from conventional power plant with the same in the operation of LWR and so is well understood. This makes them compatible with existing supply chains and regulation should be straightforward due to the existing knowledge of the regulators.
SCWR can use multiple fuels including Plutonium, Thorium, Uranium or MOX and can use light or heavy water as the coolant. However, although there are many plants being developed, there are no operational SCWR and no test reactors yet built.
6 Gas fast reactors (GFR)
GFR are helium cooled at a pressure of 70 bar. Helium is low density and so provides little moderation, therefore the impact of neutron damage is greater than for other technologies. Material choices are therefore key.
Natural convection cooling has limited effectiveness, so some designs, such as the Allegro demonstrator plant, feature three passive decay heat removal loops, each of which can fulfil the full cooling task. GFR operate at 800°C to 850°C making them suitable for industrial heat applications as well as electricity generation. The target efficiency of the plant is 45%.
A bright future
We are at the dawn of a nuclear renaissance and it is clear that the potential for nuclear power to attract investment, create highly skilled jobs and contribute to GDP and energy security is strong. AMRs and SMRs will play a major part in the bright nuclear future we have ahead of us.
Designed to revolutionise the process of nuclear waste disposal globally, Lucideon presents MALLETTM (MIDAR®- Augmented Lower-cost Lower-carbon Encapsulation Technique) to the nuclear sector
The system provides a cost-efficient method of managing Intermediate Level Waste streams (ILW), including oils, graphite, zeolites, sludges, and ashes
Redefining Powering nuclear progress
Progress in nuclear power. Make it happen with MTC.
The UK’s path to net zero by 2050 will rely heavily on a new generation of nuclear power stations. Net zero offers the opportunity to deliver reduced carbon emissions and also enhances energy security, creates high-skilled jobs and will unlock substantial economic benefits.
Large-Scale Nuclear Expertise
Our experienced team are ready to assist with large-scale nuclear ventures, employing tried-andtested methods to increase speed of adoption and reduce commission time. Our innovative modular construction techniques not only revolutionise the industry but also ensure consistent quality while keeping operational costs low.
SMRs & AMRs
By utilising modular approaches, we reduce construction timelines and expense, deliver projects faster and ultimately minimise the risk associated with SMRs. Plus, our partnership with Rolls Royce SMR showcases our ability for efficient modularisation, supported by cutting-edge automation.
Fusion Component Manufacturing
Our Component Manufacturing Technology team support the Fusion Futures Programme, specialising in crafting fusion components with precision and reliability. Whether it’s joining dissimilar materials or mastering digital engineering, we ensure high quality fusion component manufacturing.
Talent For Tomorrow
Our advanced training centre works with the nuclear industry to develop the workforce of tomorrow. We can support from initial research to full-scale training implementation, ensuring successful project delivery and long-term impact. Through the apprenticeships and upskilling courses we offer, we are empowering the nuclear industry with cutting-edge skills and innovation.
Partner with us to accelerate your journey to success. Discover more at www.the-mtc.org
Sizewell B turns thirty!
It was thirty years ago today a tiny corner of Suffolk became one of the nation’s most important energy centres.
That’s because on February 14, 1995, Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station, the single most productive nuclear reactor the UK has ever operated, synched to the electricity grid for the first time.
Since then the site has generated so much power it could meet the needs of every home in East Anglia for more than 83 years and, according to recent calculations by an independent economic consultancy, has already saved more than 123m tonnes of CO2 emissions going into the atmosphere.
Robert Gunn, Station Director of Sizewell B, said: “Over the past 30 years this power station has quietly supported energy security and delivered staggering amounts of zero-carbon power. That electricity has come 24/7 and our last run was a great example of that. We produced electricity non-stop for more than 500 days in which our turbines turned more than two billion times!
“We’ve also made a tangible difference to people’s lives by employing thousands of local people and equipping them with incredibly useful nuclear skills which have been invaluable to us, to their future job prospects and the wider economy. A study published last month revealed that Sizewell B has already contributed over £15billion to the British economy.
Sizewell B was built between 1987 and 1995 and started supplying power to the grid on Valentine’s Day 1995. It is the country’s only Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) and to date has produced 261 terrawatt hours of electricity. Each year it provides around 3% of the UK’s electricity needs.”
In 2012 the site opened itself to the public with the creation of a visitor centre which co-ordinated public tours demystifying nuclear operations. Since then 120,000 visitors, from school children to pensioner groups, have passed through the gates and seen for themselves the enormous contribution Sizewell B is making to East Anglia and the nation.
To mark the birthday staff at the Leiston site have been given a specially commissioned anniversary chocolate bar and pen and there has a bake-off style competition for the best station birthday cake.
Niki Rousseau, who has been part of the Sizewell B team since 1987, said: “This station has been important to me as a place which has provided a great, well-paid job for decades. This area is full of people who have worked here, it has contributed to the community by supporting local causes and over time that dome, which is now known all over the world as a symbol of nuclear power, has become an important feature of our coastline.”
EDF bought the site, and the UK nuclear fleet in 2009. Since then it has paid out more than £750m in wages. Recently published research revealed the full scale of the station’s impact on employment after economists calculated that every job required to run operations at Sizewell B also directly supports over five others in the power station’s UK supply chains.
Robert added: “As important as this birthday is we also have a firm eye on the longer-term future. This power station is presently due to generate until 2035 but we are confident we can extend this date to 2055, or longer. The technical case is clear, we now need greater cost certainty and confidence in the long-term commercial case to make a final investment decision when we’re ready.”
Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Clare Sharpe, President of Women in Nuclear UK (WiN UK), shares her thoughts on the vital role women play in the nuclear sector in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I am delighted to highlight the important role that WiN UK plays in driving gender balance in our industry, as well as the fantastic opportunities for women in the nuclear sector.
I have worked in the nuclear sector for over 17 years and it is hard to convey the variety of interesting projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on and the energy you get from working in this sector. And there has never been a better time to work in Nuclear. Recently, at Nuclear Week in Parliament, we heard about the bold ambitions for this industry. The drive for clean energy means that we are at the forefront of a growth period, and there is huge demand for skills.
Attracting a diverse workforce is essential to meet this demand for skills, as well as being absolutely vital to achieve the required performance. It is well documented that diverse teams are better performing, and to deliver the nuclear sector’s ambitious plans, we need people who can be innovative and share ideas. That can only come through having an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce.
So what it is like to be a woman in the nuclear industry? It is true that women are still underrepresented in our sector; across the UK we average about 20%. However, there is a strong commitment from organisations to improve this, and WiN UK plays a key role in supporting our members in achieving this. WiN UK hosted the closing event of Nuclear Week in Parliament, bringing together CEOs, managing directors and key decision-makers in the sector to encourage them to use their power to put their diversity and inclusion programmes front and centre in making their organisations and the wider industry a success.
And things are changing. We can see visible role models as we have women in key senior leadership positions across the sector, and there are organisations where women are not underrepresented. Sizewell C’s board for instance is now more than 60 per cent women, a fantastic achievement. And the sector has moved hugely in creating a culture of inclusion so that everyone feels welcome. Flexible working policies, menopause policies all help to promote an inclusive workplace that works for everyone.
Women in Nuclear UK (WiN UK) is one of over 30 international chapters under the umbrella of Women in Nuclear Global. Formed in 2014, WiN UK’s mission is to address the industry’s gender balance, improve the representation of women in leadership, engage with the industry, government and public on nuclear issues and support the industry with tools and information.
Visit: winuk.org.uk
Follow: linkedin.com/company/winuk
One of the many great things about this sector are the different routes into it. For example, apprenticeships are a great way to ‘earn while you learn’. But the nuclear sector isn’t just for people starting out in their careers.
There are huge opportunities for people in midcareer to bring their transferable skills and the sector is really benefiting from the diversity of experience this brings. This represents my own path into nuclear, having started out in the world of retail and home shopping (for those who can remember what that was!).
The nuclear sector is a great place to work, with varied and exciting opportunities, and a supportive and friendly culture where everyone is welcome. If you’d like to find out more about WiN UK please visit our website www.winuk.org.uk, we are open to everyone and it’s free for individuals to join. And if you haven’t already why not register for the WiN Global Conference, which is being hosted in London 14-18 July 2025.
For more details on the agenda and events programme please visit https://managedreg. crowdcomms.com/win-global-2025
We create communications that shift public and stakeholder perception and engage communities in the nuclear sector.
Creative consultancy with 30 years’ significant nuclear experience:
• Brand and positioning development
• Employee and cultural engagement
• Change and transformation communications
We help you captivate and inspire the people in your world www.forepoint.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1772 511001
Powering Potential: Partner with Brainwave
At Brainwave, we believe that every child with a disability deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. We work with families across the UK to help children with disabilities and additional needs gain greater independence through our bespoke specialist therapy programmes.
By working closely with families, we achieve life-changing outcomes —helping children improve their mobility, communication skills and learning potential.
“This is our second visit to Brainwave and since our last visit our daughter Sienna has learnt so much! Within 5 months she has learnt to crawl and high kneel, which we didn’t think we would see so quickly. The Brainwave team are just amazing and we are so grateful to them.”
Quote from Sienna’s parents
Why Partner with Brainwave?
Choosing Brainwave as your Charity partner isn’t just about supporting a great cause —it’s about creating a meaningful partnership that aligns with your brand values and demonstrates your commitment to the communities where you work.
Brainwave has a strong presence nationally, with its National Therapy Centre in Bridgwater, Somerset, and outreach hubs in Warrington, Cheshire —both at the heart of the UK’s nuclear sector. We understand industry’s focus on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, and we mirror these values in our approach to working with children and families.
Our dedicated fundraising team will work closely with you to develop bespoke, engaging, and impactful partnership opportunities, ensuring that working together is both seamless, rewarding and fun, whilst also raising vital funds.
The Power of Partnership
By choosing Brainwave as your charity partner, your business will:
Enhance Corporate Social Responsibility – Demonstrate your commitment to making a tangible difference in your community.
Strengthen Your Reputation – Align with a trusted national charity that achieves measurable, life-changing outcomes.
Unite and Inspire Teams – Boost team morale and engagement through fundraising challenges.
Attract Customers and Talent – Show prospective employees and clients that you are dedicated to creating a positive impact.
Generate Positive PR – Create powerful stories to share with stakeholders, customers, and the wider community.
Stronger Together
Every business we partner with wants to make a genuine impact —and they see the incredible benefits that come from aligning with Brainwave. Our partnerships aren’t just about fundraising; they are about building relationships, inspiring change, and making a real difference to the children and families we support.
Don’t Just Take Our Word for It…
Take a look at what our current partners have to say about working alongside us:
“As a dedicated supporter of the Brainwave Children’s Charity, I am thrilled to be involved in their transformative initiatives through the VINCI UK Foundation. Our recent collaboration focuses on the development of the Brainwave Connect app; a cutting-edge digital solution designed to revolutionize support services for families with disabled children. This app will provide 24/7 access to personalized therapy slots, real-time chat support, and secure logins, ensuring continuous assistance beyond office hours. By leveraging the VINCI UK Foundation’s funding, we aim to enhance the therapy and overall wellbeing of these amazing children and their families.”
Quote from Actemium
“Amentum UK has proudly supported Brainwave Children’s Charity through charity bike rides, headline ball sponsorships, and hands-on volunteering at community events, helping to change children’s lives, one act of kindness at a time.”
Quote from Amentum
Let’s Power Change Together
By partnering with Brainwave, your business will be part of something truly transformative —helping children with disabilities and additional needs to unlock their potential whilst strengthening your social impact.
Let’s start the conversation today. Contact our fundraising team to explore how we can work together.
Nuclear Week in Parliament No.4—our biggest yet!
Back in January our biggest, and arguably most important, Nuclear Week in Parliament took place. They say timing is everything, so starting 2025 with leading industry voices, government ministers and parliamentarians attending over 20 events surrounding the critical need for more nuclear in the UK couldn’t have been better, as the industry waits with bated breath for those crucial government decisions.
2025 is certainly going to be a big year for the civil nuclear sector. The spotlight is firmly fixed on the upcoming Spending Review and SMR competition conclusion, given the knock-on effect positive outcomes will have for the sector. This in part is what makes Nuclear Week in Parliament so special. Companies from every corner of the supply chain travel to Westminster to demonstrate how integral their work is to the sector,
all small cogs working side by side to make the nuclear “wheel” turn.
The NIA’s key ask for this Nuclear Week in Parliament remained: build, build, build. And we were clearly not alone in this sentiment! The All-Party Parliamnetary Group on Nuclear Energy Welcome Reception on the Monday evening saw Minister Hunt proclaim, “what is not to like?!” about the growth of the civil nuclear sector.
On Tuesday, at our Skills & Apprenticeship Fair, over 125 apprentices showcased the fantastic opportunities for young people across the sector. We heard Cailey Miller’s, NSAN Apprentice of the Year, personal journey into the sector and her plea to all apprentices in attendance to keep talking about their positive experiences and flying the flag for the nuclear industry.
Baroness Smith, Minister for Skills at the Department for Education highlighted the huge role the nuclear
sector plays in job creation and driving growth in local communities, reiterating the government’s pledge to drive the sector forward with new projects.
Tuesday evening saw over 50 parliamentarians, civil servants, union reps and leading industry voices attend the Executive Dinner, where Charlotte Nichols MP highlighted her constituency Warrington North’s role as a hub of expertise within the nuclear energy sector.
On Wednesday events concluded, and it was clear from the crowds at the Great British Nuclear Reception that attendees didn’t want the week to end!
It was incredible to hear so many intensions being set by parliamentarians and industry for the next year. It will certainly be interesting to see how many have been met by the next Nuclear Week in Parliament.
In January, the nuclear decommissioning community gathered for DECOM2025, an insightful and dynamic conference, opened by Lord McNicol, new Chair of the Nuclear Industry Association. His opening remarks set the tone for an honest discussion about the future of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority spend, addressing both challenges and opportunities ahead.
One of the standout sessions was on “outside in thinking,” where we drew inspiration from the space, fusion, and oil & gas industries. This session was particularly engaging, showcasing innovative approaches and cross-industry learnings that could be applied to nuclear decommissioning.
A highlight of the conference was the esteemed panel discussion on building and nurturing a winning workforce. The panel emphasized the importance of listening to employees and fostering an environment where they can thrive. This session resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting the human element in our technical field.
The supply chain also took the stage, presenting their innovative approaches to the decommissioning challenge. Their presentations underscored the critical role of collaboration and creativity in overcoming complex issues.
With over 400 attendees, the conference was a vibrant hub of activity. The enthusiasm, passion, and honesty of the speakers were palpable, creating a buzz that reminded everyone why they are proud to be part of the nuclear sector. The event was a
Join a world leader in nuclear
Be part of tomorrow’s energy
NEWS FROM THE HUB.
Rolls-Royce SMR and Siemens Energy partner in SMR deployment
Rolls-Royce SMR and Siemens Energy bring together their expertise in an exclusive partnership agreement to provide the complete turbine systems package covering, design, manufacture, installation and commissioning for a global fleet of ‘factory-built’ small modular reactor (SMR) power plants.
Forming an enduring partnership to deliver this key package of work significantly de-risks the programme and strengthens our ability to deliver our SMR. This agreement will leverage Siemens Energy UK’s existing manufacturing base, and their global presence will ensure we are able to deliver in multiple countries.
“This partnership will unlock UK jobs and a range of manufacturing opportunities and further cements our position as Europe’s leading SMR technology. We are delighted that Siemens Energy will support our capability and enhance our ability to deliver a global fleet of Rolls-Royce SMRs.”
Chris Cholerton, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce SMR
Alongside an established manufacturing base in the UK, Siemens Energy has 100,000 employees in 90 countries and operates across the whole energy landscape, providing the equipment at the heart of power generation.
Rolls-Royce SMR offers a radically different approach to delivering new nuclear power, with each plant providing enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years.
“We are currently experiencing a global renaissance of nuclear energy. Numerous countries are turning to nuclear technology to produce zero emission electricity, and small modular reactors will play a key role in this.
Karim Amin, Executive Board Member, Siemens Energy
Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected to deploy SMR units in the Czech Republic and downselected for potential projects in the UK and Sweden. Success in these markets will create and sustain thousands of jobs, unlocking export potential and delivering a transformative effect on growth and the wider UK economy.
Rail deliveries mark milestone in final disposal
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), which manages the disposal of the UK’s low level radioactive waste, is carrying out important work on the final capping of legacy disposal trenches and vaults to permanently dispose of radioactive waste.
Known as the southern trench interim membrane (STIM) project, this phase of the capping work involves placing a new membrane, or protective layer, over legacy disposal trenches which will remain in place for up to 100 years.
Working collaboratively with civil engineering firm GRAHAM and specialist transport and logistics provider Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) the first rail deliveries of 280,000 tonnes of aggregate arrived on site earlier this month and will be delivered over a three year period.
This is a significant achiement in Capping Operations and will lead to the final closure of the Repository—currently expected in 2135.
STIM will replace a current interim membrane over part of the legacy disposal trenches. This layer will permenantly protecting people and the environment while the radioactivity decays.
The first deliveries will arrive between February and March 2025, with eight deliveries expected each week.
“This work enables NWS to deliver a safe and secure long-term approach to protecting the environment and people for generations to come.”
Mike Pigott, Repository Site Director, NWS
It’s first time DRS has used its JNA-Z box wagons, with each train making the journey from Shap quarry to the Repository to deliver over 750 tonnes of material—the equivalent of 36 HGVs.
“Rail is the obvious choice for bulk movements like these, taking many thousands of lorries off the road, reducing congestion, and improving the environment. This phase of the project will see 46,000 tonnes of aggregate delivered by 64 trains, saving an estimated 2,320 lorry journeys, that’s over 150,000 miles.”
Gottfried Eymer, Rail Managing Director, NTS
NWS has been engaging with the local community with drop-in sessions and site tours to share more details about the work. Plans are in place to mitigate and minimise any associated noise, dust, traffic, ecological and visual impacts through the installation of noise barriers, visual screening bunds and regular noise monitoring of activities.
Cumbria O&M Services strengthens its leadership team
Cumbria O&M Services (COMS) announced two senior appointments as part of its ongoing growth strategy. Paul Sutton joins as Engineering & Compliance Director, while Gareth Monkhouse has been appointed as Commercial & Compliance Manager. These key additions to the leadership team reflect COMS’ continued expansion and commitment to delivering excellence in all aspects of the business.
COMS has experienced significant growth over the past year, with projections for further expansion over the next 12 to 36 months. The company continues to increase collaboration with both SMEs and multi-national organisations and has a strong pipeline of opportunities across multiple sectors and geographical locations. As COMS scales, these appointments will support the formalisation of its commercial, compliance, and sustainability activities, ensuring continued alignment with client needs and industry standards.
New CEO at TWI
Caroline Gumble will join TWI as CEO on 7 July 2025. Since 2019, Caroline has been CEO with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the global professional body for the built environment, leading a widely acknowledged and very successful business transformation.
Before her tenure at CIOB, she had an extensive business transformation career within the engineering industry, both in the UK and overseas. Business transformation was also the key focus of her tenure at the membership organisation Make UK, formerly known as EEF.
“We are excited to have Caroline on board, she will bring a fresh and dynamic leadership style to the Institute. TWI has a proud history; Caroline’s arrival gives us a real opportunity to ensure the Institute has a sustainable and relevant future, meeting the needs of our Industrial and Professional Members during a time of fast-paced technological advancement and our increasing responsibilities towards environmentally friendly solutions.”
Humbert Mozzi, Chair of TWI
Caroline studied with The Open University, achieving a BSc (open) in social sciences, whilst developing her career in industry. She was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from The University of Wolverhampton and is a visiting professor with Loughborough University.
Government publishes ITB review report
The Department for Education today published the Government’s response to the ITB Review, which was conducted by Mark Farmer in 2023 and finalised last year.
The report stresses the vital need for the work of the Industrial Training Boards (ITBs) within the construction and engineering construction industries and concludes that the ITB levy-grant model should be retained. Indeed, it states that the role of the ITBs should be strengthened and calls on them to do more.
It reinforces that both the ECITB and CITB exist to meet the industries’ specialist skills needs. The ITBs are needed to address the market failure in training provision, driving up skill levels and incentivising training that would otherwise not take place.
The Minister of State for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, supported many of the recommendations laid out in the report including that the ITB model should be retained.
Among the 17 strategic recommendations, the review proposes that the CITB and ECITB should form a single body. The Government’s position is that while there are significant benefits to greater alignment and collaboration between the two ITBs, there are currently no plans to legislate to create a single body. A steering group will be set up to consider the implementation of all recommendations.
In the meantime, the Minister has requested greater collaboration between the ECITB and CITB on specific areas such as infrastructure across Great Britain, increasing trainers, clean energy jobs and skills passporting. Work is already underway to develop joint action in these areas.
“Importantly, the report recognises the significant skills challenges facing the construction and engineering industries and the vital role that the ITBs play in helping address these.”
Tim Balcon, CEO of CITB
Last reviewed in 2017, the ITB review assessed the role and effectiveness of both the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The review results from a requirement, set by the Cabinet Office, for all public bodies to be reviewed periodically.
You can view the full report along with the Government’s response at https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/2023-industry-trainingboard-itb-review.
NEW MEMBERS
Not a member? To find out about the NIA and benefits of membership scan the QR code. To discuss membership options available to your company email membership@niauk.org
EXPLORE TRANSPORT LTD
exploretransport.co.uk
Explore delivers expert logistics for the nuclear sector. Our specialist fleet, sourced from leading manufacturers, is equipped to ensure the safe delivery of oversized and high-value components. Supported by industry recognised accreditations, our end-toend services are tailored to meet the unique demands of nuclear projects.
ONTARIO POWER GENERATION (OPG) opg.com
OPG is a leading electricity generator in Ontario, Canada, producing about 50% of the province’s power. With a diverse energy portfolio including nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, and biomass, OPG drives clean energy innovation, such as small modular reactors, while prioritizing sustainability and community partnerships.
ORRICK orrick.com
Orrick is a global law firm focused on delivering innovative solutions for the technology & innovation, energy & infrastructure, finance and life sciences & healthtech sectors.
GSCAN
gscan.eu
Technology company providing nondestructive testing solutions based on muon tomography. GScan’s combined muon tomography and AI to detect objects and chemical composition up to 10 metres deep in critical infrastructure and providing up to 2mm spatial resolution.
CALDER INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS LTD calderlead.co.uk
Calder Industrial Materials (CIM) is a leading provider of bespoke engineered lead radiation shielding solutions for nuclear, healthcare, and industrial applications in the UK and internationally.
ACUITY ENGINEERING LIMITED acuity-eng.co.uk
Technical leadership consultancy of complex nuclear projects and major infrastructure. Acuity engineering sits at the heart of project delivery, from initiation and front-end engineering through to commissioning and benefits realisation.
ASP ISOTOPES aspisotopes.com
ASP Isotopes is a leader in isotope enrichment technology for the medical, semiconductor and green energy sectors. We are positioning ourselves as a leading supplier of future nuclear fuels and a trusted partner to advanced nuclear reactor manufacturers.
ROVTECH rovtech.solutions
Rovtech provides harsh environment tooling and subsea solutions for energy industries, solving the most difficult remote engineering challenges. Precision ROVs, monitoring and intervention systems designed to operate in the world’s harshest environments, including deep ocean, extreme heat and nuclear.
JACOBS jacobs.com
At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow—delivering outcomes and solutions for the world’s most complex challenges. We provide engineering, environmental, strategic and management support for civil nuclear infrastructure.
NPL MANAGEMENT LTD npl.co.uk
The UK’s National Metrology Institute (NMI), developing and maintaining the national primary measurement standards, as well as collaborating with other NMIs to maintain the international system of measurement.
GISMIC UK groupegismic.com
We provide technical assistance, inspection services, conventional and advances NDT services, metallurgical expertise, training and certifying to the civil nuclear market.
ATOMIC BULL bullproducts.co.uk
Bull Products provides nuclear construction sites with complete fire safety solutions, based around its proven Fire 360 100% compliant process, which provides contractors and authorities with the peace of mind that their site is always protected.
DMS is a stainless steel specialist fabrication and welding company. We are experts at working with stainless steel and other CRAs, now working for the nuclear, petrochemical (subsea and topside), aerospace, pharmaceutical, food & water industries and are the first choice supplier for many of our clients.
CAMBRIDGE VACUUM ENGINEERING camvaceng.com
Cambridge Vacuum Engineering design and manufacture bespoke turnkey power beam welding machines. Specialising in nuclear power applications including fusion and fission fabrication. Addressing pressure vessels, containment and heat exchangers, decommissioning and waste management solutions.
NUCLEAR CAPITAL nuclear-capital.com
Nuclear Capital aims to tap into the huge global expansion in large-scale nuclear and emerging Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)/Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANTs) by assisting institutions and nuclear interested parties in deploying capital into the nuclear life cycle.
BRAND ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES LTD brandsafway.com
Leading global provider of access, specialised services and forming and shoring solutions, to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure end markets.
LINKLATERS LLP linklaters.com
For more than 170 years, Linklaters has been acknowledged as one of the premier law firms in the UK. Linklaters offer market leading expertise across all the legal issues which shape the international nuclear industry.
AMEY LTD amey.co.uk
Amey delivers full lifecycle, sustainable infrastructure services, informed by data and delivered with expertise. We are a leading provider of engineering, operations and decarbonisation solutions for UK infrastructure and complex facilities
RENDEL LIMITED rendel-ltd.com
For over 185 years, Rendel has been involved in the design, engineering and construction of infrastructure projects. They have extensive experience in bridges, highways, ports and maritime, tunnels, nuclear, geotechnical, and mechanical and electrical projects.
KURY UK LIMITED kury-uk.com
KURY UK is a specialized engineering consultancy 100% dedicated to advancing the civil nuclear industry. Our team of expert engineers supports major energy companies in delivering nuclear power plant projects across two primary technical sectors: design & safety.
SERAC IMAGING SYSTEMS LTD seracimagingsystems.com
Serac provides ‘Seracam’, a new gamma-video camera enabling precise, real time localisation of radioactive materials. Designed for ease of use, the intuitive display is equipped with settings enabling immediate image enhancement for maximum clarity.
New study highlights scale of UK nuclear opportunity for Welsh businesses
A new study published by Cwmni Egino has highlighted the significant opportunity for business growth in Wales as a result of future nuclear investment.
The study identified 345 Welsh companies currently delivering contracts for existing nuclear sector decommissioning and new build activity. The value of these contracts equates to £160m in sales and represents a substantial contribution to Wales’ economy.
It’s estimated that this could increase to around £1bn of supply chain spend in Wales per annum in the next 10-15 years if the projected and potential investment in nuclear in the UK is realised.
Based on a broad analysis of the Welsh supply chain across a range of categories relating to nuclear sector requirements, the study estimates that there are in excess of 10,900 companies across Wales which could pivot to supply goods and services to support existing and new nuclear projects in years to come.
The ‘Nuclear Supply Chain Capability Study: Wales’ was commissioned by Cwmni Egino and undertaken by Gardiner & Theobald, in association with Welsh SME consultants.
The aim of the research was to provide a more detailed baseline evaluation of the potential scale of opportunity from nuclear decommissioning and new build projects for Welsh businesses, and to gain a richer understanding of the capacity, capability and appetite of the known and potential supply chain in Wales to work within the nuclear sector.
Cwmni Egino is a Welsh Government funded company tasked with facilitating widespread benefits from nuclear for Wales, with a particular focus on socio-economic regeneration.
Alan Raymant, Cwmni Egino Chief Executive said: “There is clearly the potential to grow activity within the Welsh nuclear supply chain through the projected increase in nuclear decommissioning and new build expenditure in the UK.
“There is an opportunity for organic, sustainable growth, harnessing the expertise of companies already active in nuclear as well as attracting new entrants who may not currently identify as ‘nuclear’ but have the appetite and potential to supply the sector.”
Alan added: “We’ll be sharing our study findings widely so that we can drive discussions with key partners, including Welsh Government and regional and industry bodies, around areas of potential support to help businesses prepare for future opportunities.”
Tenet Consultants, who already has a diverse portfolio of work in the UK nuclear sector, is one of the many companies already planning to grow their business in Wales.
Huw Brassington, who heads up Tenet’s presence in Wales, has begun the process of building their base in the region to capitalise on the opportunities presented by new nuclear investment:
“With the potential for nuclear investment, we are confident that North Wales has a bright future and are dedicated to contributing to this future in a meaningful way. By offering apprenticeships and highly paid jobs, we aim to attract engineers and designers back to Wales.”
The ‘Nuclear Supply Chain Capability Study: Wales’ published by Cwmni Egino is available at https://cwmniegino.wales/news-items/new-studyhighlights-scale-of-nuclear-opportunity-for-welshbusinesses. To discuss the study in more detail, contact info@cwmniegino.wales
“THERE IS CLEARLY THE POTENTIAL TO GROW ACTIVITY WITHIN THE WELSH NUCLEAR SUPPLY CHAIN THROUGH THE PROJECTED INCREASE IN NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING AND NEW BUILD EXPENDITURE IN THE UK.”
The Welsh recently celebrated St David’s Day, the patron saint of Wales, and one of the most loved phrases in the Welsh language is that uttered by Dewi Sant, St David, supposedly just before his death: “Gwnewch y pethau bychain” (“Do the little things”). And there are lots of little things that are happening or that need to happen in the nuclear industry in Wales to ensure it realises its full potential.
The opportunity is enormous: a new project at Wylfa would be the single greatest inward investment in Welsh history. We all know the benefits: clean, Welsh power from a tiny land footprint, investment in the local community, opportunities for the supply chain, and thousands of good, skilled jobs, not only on the site, but in shops and cafes and other local businesses, so that people can stay in their communities, start families, speak the language and be part of a thriving community.
But for all that to happen, as well as delivering other projects too at Trawsfynydd and South Wales too, we need all the stakeholders in Wales, be it industry, government, local authorities and others to do the little things—y pethau bychain. That means being strong advocates for nuclear at every possible opportunity. The message should be: We want new projects here and we won’t give up until they’re delivered. Ultimately, it’s up the UK government to green light new projects, but that doesn’t mean we should just sit back and let it all play out. We need to be on the front foot.
The nuclear industry in Wales is facing a crucial period, so too the wider UK sector. As Gwen Parry Jones, CEO of Great British Nuclear recently said, the period between now and the Spending Review is probably the most important period in the industry’s 70 year history. Decisions on Sizewell C and the SMR competition will have a huge bearing on Wales. Will Wylfa be the site of the first UK SMR? If not, what about a large-scale project? By June we should have some clarity. And clarity and certainty is essential in this sector so we can build confidence in the supply chain and in host communities.
To that end, the first ever Nuclear Cross-Party Group in the Senedd was recently launched, with the aim of strengthening the voice of the industry in Wales and to give Senedd Members all the tools and information required to be strong advocates.
For the first time we’ll be taking Senedd Members on a visit of Hinkley Point C, the 3.2 GW nuclear plant under construction in Somerset which has
a very strong Welsh input including over 2,300 workers from Wales, £180 million spent with Welsh companies, 190 Welsh firms in the supply chain, 200,000 tonnes of Welsh steel and companies from Neath, Newport, Risca, Pontypool and beyond all supplying key services and materials.
Hinkley is vital because it’s a live case study of what Wales could have: over 10,000 jobs during construction, 1,000 when it’s operational, over 1,500 apprentices trained on site, over 8,000 people trained in welding, electrical, and mechanical skills in its college and a £5 billion spend in the South West region. These are transformational opportunities, and I can’t wait for the Senedd Members to see first-hand what is the ultimate prize for Wales. After all, seeing it is vastly different to reading about it or being told about it.
From a wider UK perspective, things are looking up. The Prime Minister recently made a significant announcement aimed at streamlining planning and regulation for nuclear projects which should make it cheaper and faster to deliver new stations. There are opportunities too around AI and the firm, clean electricity needed to power data centres. Wales should be leading in this field, attracting big companies to invest here. The groundwork needs to start now.
Parts of Wales are really feeling the squeeze of what is a bleak economic reality with a lack of investment meaning fewer and fewer jobs. The only option facing a lot of younger people, particularly in places like Ynys Môn that has lost key industries, is a move away from their home communities to seek opportunities elsewhere. Wales needs to keep its best young minds in Wales.
Talented and dedicated individuals like Kieron Salter, an Electrical Engineer from Llangefni on Ynys Môn, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at an NIA Senedd event a few years ago. Kieron had hoped to work on Wylfa Newydd but after the project failed to materialise he ended up having to move away to work at Hinkley. He spoke fondly of the opportunity he was given at Hinkley, but his disappointment that the Wylfa project failed was evident.
All he wanted, he said, was the opportunity for a good job in the place he grew up, in an industry he loves that protects the planet, so that he can settle down, speak his native tongue and give something back to the community he calls home.
That is surely, reason enough to do the pethau bychain—the little things.
