UK nuclear supply chain: global opportunities

Energy Minister Mike O’Brien today called on the UK manufacturing industry to play a key role in delivering a fleet of new nuclear power stations across Britain.

Speaking at the Manufacturing a Nuclear Future nuclear supply chain workshop, O’Brien commented: “these events are important because it will help British business be first off the blocks in the global supply chain race. It has the potential to secure tens of billions of pounds for the wider UK economy”.

O’Brien went on: “that is a lot of money and a potentially profitable opportunity for the supply chain”.

The conference was run jointly by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) and the Special Metals Forum (SMF), supported by the government’s Office for Nuclear Development. It marks the launch of the Nuclear Supply Chain Development Programme, through which NIA will raise awareness of potential forthcoming opportunities for the supply UK chain and enhance its competitiveness both in the UK and oversees.

Alan Partridge, Chief Executive of NAMTEC which manages the SMF, stated that “The new nuclear build is a huge opportunity for UK manufacturing, and both NIA and SMF are seeking to ensure that our companies are able to exploit fully this unique opportunity”. He added that, “I would encourage all companies who are interested in supplying into the sector to contact us as soon as possible”.

Speaking after the conference, NIA Chief Executive Keith Parker noted that: “the importance of nurturing a strong supply chain for the UK nuclear industry cannot be over-estimated”.

Parker continued: “there are huge opportunities for UK business in both new build and decommissioning as well as ongoing generation; and we are working across the UK industry to ensure that our businesses are well placed to be at the heart of the worldwide nuclear renaissance”.

Today’s conference, held at Rolls-Royce premises in Derby, was attended by over 300 delegates and heard from speakers from the UK nuclear industry and trade unions as well as government and the host-partners.

Contacts:
Tris Denton – NIA This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
020 7766 6641 / 07894 595 717
David Stafford – SMF This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
01709 724990

The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) is the trade association and representative voice of Britain’s civil nuclear industry. It represents more than 160 companies including the operators of the nuclear power stations, those engaged in decommissioning, waste management, nuclear liabilities management and all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear equipment suppliers, engineering and construction firms, nuclear research organisations, and legal, financial and consultancy companies.

The Special Metals Forum (SMF) brings together the strengths, unique resources and capabilities of the special metals supply chain; involving metal producers, fabricators, component manufacturers and OEM’s, as well as research organisations and the wider academic community. Member organisations share the common aim of strengthening the special metals industry through sharing best practice, driving innovation and supporting the development of education and training across the sector.

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