| Nuclear Industry warmly welcomes UK low-carbon industrial strategy | | Print | |
| Wednesday, 15 July 2009 | |
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THE Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) today warmly welcomed the government’s wide-ranging industrial strategy designed to deliver a low-carbon future for the UK. The government-wide strategy, unveiled by Lord Mandelson and Ed Miliband sets out an integrated plan for Britain’s clean-air future – and underlines support for a new generation of low-carbon nuclear stations. The strategy clearly states “it is in the public interest that nuclear should play a key role in meeting the UK’s future low-carbon energy requirements” - and points towards huge economic opportunities for British firms in both the domestic and international nuclear markets. With the expertise which comes from building and supplying a new fleet of British nuclear stations over the next two decades, UK companies will be ideally placed to capture global contracts as new nuclear units are built around the world, the report says. Keith Parker, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association which represents 175 UK nuclear companies, said the report was “extremely encouraging for the UK civil nuclear industry.” “The UK’s civil nuclear sector already contributes £3.6 billion to the UK economy and provides secure, well-paid jobs for 40,000 people,” he said. “The international market could be worth £50 billion per year by 2050. We want to see the new UK nuclear fleet delivered here and then UK companies winning major contracts around the world.” At present nuclear power, (which is carbon-free at point of generation) provides some 15% of the world’s electricity, around 35% of the EU’s electricity, and 20% of Britain’s. This figure represents more than 80% of all the UK’s present low-carbon power. Mr. Parker applauded the government for taking decisive steps to ensure British nuclear companies were at the forefront of the global nuclear renaissance. “Just replacing our own nuclear stations as they close could represent £21 billion in business for UK firms. There will be considerable opportunities for British expertise from pre-build design, in making specialist nuclear components and in servicing and decommissioning both here and abroad. It is a full-cycle of opportunity” In the document the government acknowledges the work of the Nuclear Industry Association in making British companies aware of the opportunities via its leading-edge supply chain initiative, SC@nuclear. It also uses previous industry profiling by the NIA to assess UK skills and capability – and commits to work with the industry closely on identifying future “pinch-points” in delivery. Along with support for the NIA’s SC@nuclear programme of regional events, the strategy also highlights government actions to assist UK companies including steps to strengthen the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to cover the nuclear sector, and the creation of an Advanced Nuclear Manufacturing Centre. There will also be a wide-ranging skills-mapping report co-ordinated with Cogent and the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, with the aim of maximising high-value jobs and careers in the UK nuclear industry. Keith Parker said these actions were positive signals in delivering a low-carbon industrial sector. “The government is taking a lead in facilitating investment in the nuclear industry and in delivering an effective low-carbon strategy. For our part we are leading in delivering the message to companies both in and outside the nuclear industry that there are incredible opportunities for future growth and prosperity.” Comments (0)
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