In My View

Editor John McNamara interviews the new NIA chairman John Hutton

1 – This is an interesting time to become Chairman of the Nuclear Industry Association – what do you think are the main priorities for the industry at such a crucial time?

As an industry we have a huge amount of work to do in engaging with Government and the general public following the events in Japan. In fact it is of utmost importance. We fully recognise that we have much to do – that we must present our case in a robust and transparent manner, while clearly making the case for new nuclear power stations to be built in the UK. We must do this before any new reactor can go online in the UK. This is THE challenge the nuclear industry must rise to. I am privileged to be able to play a part in this hugely important area – and I am greatly looking forward to it.

2 – In the wake of the Japanese crisis is the industry doing enough to encourage public and political support?

The Earthquake and Tsunami are tragedies of historic proportions. We know that Governments around the world have responded magnificently in coming to Japan’s aid. It is a major humanitarian disaster which many people seem to forget – caused by a natural disaster the like of which we have not seen before.
Some 15,000 people are confirmed dead. We must not lose sight of Japan’s suffering. But to some this story is inextricably linked to nuclear. Although the nuclear plants immediately responded as they should – and let’s not forget nuclear carried on supplying much-needed electricity to the Japanese people after the disaster at what was the coldest time of the year – there is clearly a major perception issue for the nuclear industry. Japan’s nuclear industry has responded magnificently – and this has been recognised by major reports by the IAEA and other independent agencies. But of course we also know the Tsunami threat was underestimated From this the industry must and will learn important lessons.

Governments around the globe will also will be looking at the effect of Fukushima on the potential for a global nuclear renaissance. The same strong, undeniable benefits of modern civil nuclear power are still the same – and make nuclear a popular choice  among many countries looking to renew their energy infrastructure and de-carbonise their energy sectors. But we recognise the context has changed. We must still argue the case as before because it is sound argument. But we must take into account public disquiet
As I have said before, the question is “Is it safe for us to go on building nuclear power stations?” And once again, I say the answer is an emphatic “yes”. It has been fascinating to see the key independent institutions like the G8’s Nuclear Energy Agency or the IAEA move forward recommendations on lessons learned from Japan. This should give confidence to the public. They have a right to be wary – they also have a right to have the utmost confidence in these bodies and in Europe’s nuclear regulators. They must be in no doubt that the industry will ensure no stone will be unturned in the quest to constantly improve procedures and retain safety as the number one priority. We and Government both need to play a leading part in building that confidence.

3 -  In your opinion Is new-build policy still on track – is there more the industry could be doing?

A big role for the NIA is to ensure we keep a healthy two-way dialogue going with the relevant Government departments. The political leadership shown during the Japan crisis has given us confidence that we are on track – and that nuclear is rightly a major part of the Government’s plans for the UK’s future energy mix. I have every confidence in the UK industry in stepping-up to the plate. But we must keep the momentum and confidence going. This is hugely important.

4 - What are your views on Dr Weightman’s role post-Fukushima?

Nuclear power stations are safe – that is the key message from the preliminary findings of Mike Weightman’s independent report for the UK Government. He even went as far as to applaud our nuclear operators for taking immediate action to review safety and emergency preparedness. Weightman has since been asked to take a global lead on the IAEA’s regulatory recommendations post –Fukushima. This illustrates more than anything else how hugely respected the UK’s independent nuclear regulator is around the world. It is an area where the UK is seen as a world leader.
We are rigorously regulated in the UK – and that is of course right and proper. The UK public can be assured that nuclear plants in the UK are safe – and will be safe going forward.

5 - Decommissioning is in many ways a successful story of innovation and an example of the UK nuclear industry leading the world – is there more we can do to get this positive message across?

There is a terrific story to be told about nuclear decommissioning in the UK. And again it is an area where the UK is a world leader. The innovative approaches to some hugely challenging technical issues will stand us in good stead in the future – it will put the UK at the forefront of a global decommissioning industry. It will be my intention to visit some of the sites in my new role and hear first hand just how much progress is being made.

6 – How do you see the political landscape – does nuclear still have cross-party support?

As the representative organisation for UK nuclear the NIA has a crucial role to play here. We know there was a big turnaround at the last election. And post-Fukushima politicians will require extra information and all the facts at their disposal to ensure their support for nuclear is well-founded. We will be engaging very closely with politicians to ensure that the current cross-party support the industry has is maintained.

7 – Where do you see yourself – and the nuclear industry, in five years time?

It’s perhaps much easier for me to answerer the second part of that question!
I see a huge opportunity for British manufacturing and industry as we move forward our civil nuclear ambitions. In five years time I would want to see us moving ahead with construction of a new fleet of nuclear power stations in the UK. And I want to see the industry fully engaging with the general public. We need to take public opinion with us and allay fears and misgivings. Nuclear is safe – and must be widely understood to be a crucial part of the UK’s energy mix going forward.
I say this while openly recognising that the debate has changed. We cannot rely on past safety records. We must engage in an open and transparent way – and educate the general public in the use of safe, and clean nuclear power to meet our future energy needs.

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