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Monday, 24 July 2006 |
2005 promises to be a busy and eventful year for NIA and the British nuclear industry. NIA enters the New Year with 100 members - a record number in the organisation's history, and clear evidence of the optimism about an upturn in the sector's commercial prospects.
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| Philip Dewhurst, NIA Chairman |
2005 promises to be a busy and eventful year for NIA and the British nuclear industry. NIA enters the New Year with 100 members - a record number in the organisation's history, and clear evidence of the optimism about an upturn in the sector's commercial prospects. I am very pleased and excited to be taking on the Chairmanship of NIA at this crucial time for the industry and I look forward to meeting as many of our members as possible during the next few months. We offer Tony Cooper, my predecessor, our thanks and appreciation for his work as Chairman and our very best wishes in his new position at the NDA.
The big event that the industry has been anticipating for over two years will be the transfer of the liabilities and assets of BNFL and UKAEA to the NDA in April. This heralds a fundamental change in the structure of the industry, and increased opportunities for the supply chain with the introduction of competition for decommissioning and clean-up work. NIA will shortly be producing a report anticipating what could emerge for the supply chain once competition is introduced, and providing advice and guidance on how companies might adapt to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise.
The positive media coverage of nuclear energy that was such a feature during 2004 has continued into the New Year. In early January, Channel 4 broadcast a compelling documentary on climate change which concluded that nuclear was the only feasible immediately available solution. Shortly afterwards, Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, in an interview in the Independent, said that the Government would re-evaluate its energy policy - and nuclear energy policy - in the light of concerns about climate change. That review is widely expected later this year after the election. A recent MORI poll has also shown that the public is now in favour of building new reactors. However, it is imperative that the industry is ready with its case for the future role of nuclear energy and that NIA and its members are speaking effectively with one voice.
This will be an exciting year, and I am confident that by working together we can ensure a bright long-term future for the industry.
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