NIA - The Nuclear Industry Association

UK Capability

The NIA produced this report in 2006 to demonstrate the significant contribution the UK Supply Chain could make to the construction of a programme of new nuclear power stations in the UK.

The NIA formed a New Build Working Group (NBWG) in April 2005 from member companies comprising around 20 representatives of power utilities, consultants and major providers of plant, equipment and construction services in the UK. The remit of this group was to examine the capability of UK industry to support the delivery of a UK nuclear new build programme. The study was not restricted to the capability of NIA member companies, but covered all of UK industry.

The study focuses on UK supply chain capability and has not tried to make the case for nuclear power in the UK, or tried to address key issues such as waste management, economics or funding a new build programme.

Following the Government’s announcement in January 2008 that it was in the public interest for new nuclear power stations to play a role in the UK’s future energy mix, along with other low carbon energy sources, the NIA reviewed its original study. This included all four designs that had been submitted to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) for Generic Design Assessment, and assessed the impact of other key developments since the March 2006 report.

The review found that the conclusions of the original study, that the UK is capable of building a programme of new nuclear power plants, are still valid and in fact there have been several changes for the better. It is also recognised that procurement of equipment and services must be competitive and reliable and that procurers will have no obligation to use UK suppliers. However, the ongoing dialogue between the nuclear vendors and the

suppliers is positive and encouraging.

The UK capability to deliver a new nuclear build programme


2006 Publication		2008 Update
Download Full Report (1.39 Mb) Download Summary (897 Kb)		Download Review (1.51 Mb)

The NIA and New Build Working Group are currently updating the original document with a view to publishing in Spring 2012