Companies want to share in nuclear station bonanza

Feb 19 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

SCORES of North East companies are preparing to bid for work on the proposed new generation of nuclear power stations.

A survey of its 200 members by Wearside’s NOF Energy revealed more than half see the nuclear sector as a high priority.

This follows a Government announcement late last year that it is in favour of a new generation of nuclear power stations, possibly including one at Hartlepool.

British Energy has confirmed that eight sites next to its present nuclear plants were most likely to be considered suitable for new nuclear stations.

British Energy said: “We welcome the Government’s White Paper on Nuclear Power and continue to take steps to ensure that we are well positioned for a central role in the new build programme.” NOF Energy chief executive George Rafferty said: “With more than 40% of our members already having some involvement in the nuclear industry, it is clear to see the potential benefits these planned power stations could have on suppliers to the sector.

“It is encouraging to see from our annual survey that members are preparing for this shift towards increased nuclear power generation and NOF Energy will be supporting them by working on their behalf to establish new opportunities in the sector.

“It is important that the energy suppliers planning to act on the Government’s recommendations utilise the resources British industry and its supply chain has to offer to ensure the build and operation of these power stations generates a good return for North East businesses.”

British Energy, which generates 18% of the UK’s electricity, said it was still negotiating with 10 potential partners about the possibility of building a new generation of atomic plants. It was looking at four designs of nuclear station.

The company is expected to unveil its partner, or partners, of choice by the end of next month or possibly early April.

Several major energy suppliers have signalled their intention to build stations.

French-owned EDF is interested in building four power stations in Britain.

The German company E.On, formerly Powergen, the British Gas parent Centrica and RWE npower, Britain’s largest electricity supplier, have also expressed interest in building UK nuclear power stations.

Last Wednesday, British Energy said underlying earnings in the nine months to December 30 had fallen to £745m from £775m a year earlier.

The fall was partly a result of British Energy stations at Hartlepool and Heysham being out of action since late last year.

Group could clean up

AMONG the groups poised to bid for work is a Gateshead company which makes specialist pipe cleaning products costing up to £30,000.

Durham Pipeline Technology’s, pipe cleaning maintenance tractors can reach inside complex pipelines and are particularly suited to the oil, water, chemical processing and nuclear industries.

Managing director Nick Pearson said: “There are opportunities available in the nuclear sector, both in new build and decommissioning. There is a huge amount of work involved in the decommissioning of the old reactors. This is a real area of interest to us and it’s now something we are actively looking at.”

The 12-job company turns over £400,000.