Your nuclear chance

Nov 4 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

NEW nuclear is here and now - that was the message from a UK powerhouse company to North-east delegates.

Companies fighting for their slice of the UK’s nuclear renaissance must start preparing now, said bosses from Westinghouse UK at a major networking event led by NOF Energy yesterday.

Around 200 delegates flocked to the event at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, including 24 companies from the Tees Valley, to learn about the massive opportunities in the UK’s nuclear sector.

Westinghouse UK - one of the first British nuclear companies - runs the UK’s nuclear fuel manufacturing plant at Springfields, Lancashire, and is set to be a major player in new builds.

Over the next six years, 12 nuclear power stations will be built in the UK with the first orders likely to hit the supply chain by 2011.

George Rafferty, chief executive of NOF Energy, the business development body for the oil, gas and energy sectors, said at least 80% of new power stations will be built by the non-nuclear sectors.

“Sectors from construction to aerospace and software design will play a part, it goes right across the spectrum,” he said.

“Westinghouse UK will be a major player in nuclear new builds - and it wants to engage with a UK supply chain. Tees Valley companies need to start gearing up now.”

Adrian Bull, head of stakeholder relations at Westinghouse UK, who spoke at yesterday’s event, said: “There are huge opportunities for North-east companies within the energy supply chain.

“Now is the time to find out what’s required of them when the nuclear programme gains momentum. It’s important for them to prepare.”