This month, Business and Industry Minister Richard Harrington announced additional information to the commitments made in the Nuclear Sector Deal.
Launched in June this year, the Nuclear Sector deal sets out clear aims to deliver:
- 30% reduction in the cost of new build projects by 2030
- Savings of 20% in the cost of decommissioning compared with current estimates by 2030
- 40% women in nuclear by 2030
- A more competitive supply chain equipped to win domestic and foreign contracts of up to £2 billion by 2030
Richard Harrington announced the intention of opening a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process for small and advanced modular reactors in the new year.
This follows on from announcements made in the Autumn Budget, promising financial commitment to nuclear fusion technology, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of clean energy production.
The Government has already pledged to provide an additional £20m in 2019-2020 to the UK Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA) following their work on a £50m MAST chamber.
The project will research whether smaller reactors can replicate the equivalent amount of power as the sun but in a cheaper and more accessible manner. This particular device is expected to produce temperatures up to 50 million degrees Celsius.
Most recently, the nuclear sector has been plagued with bad news, but the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Supply Chain event at the beginning of the month had a much more upbeat outlook.
With a record 1,700 visitors, the event reinforced the Governments optimistic viewpoint on the future of UK nuclear. Supported by the Governments Innovate UK, the Innovation Zone hosted more than 40 exhibitor companies showcasing leading technologies.
Astute’s view on nuclear innovation
Speaking about the event Dan Don, Head of Nuclear, said:
“We’re seeing a constant and steady increase in opportunities across the nuclear sector especially with the high levels of nuclear innovation across the UK currently.
“These are coming out of both the current and growing fleet, alongside sites going through decommissioning.
“As always, there is a skill shortage to contest with, there are numerous job opportunities out there for people looking to break into the nuclear sector.
“This was evident at the NDA supply chain event, with new and existing companies approaching us to help with challenging opportunities across the UK.”
If you are looking for your next opportunity in the nuclear sector, take a look at Astute’s current Nuclear job opportunities here.
