The most advanced, readily deployable small modular reactor is here. The AP300™ SMR from Westinghouse.
Building on more than 70 years of nuclear energy experience, Westinghouse is again ready to be a proven partner to deliver a clean, cost-effective and secure energy future.
Welcome to the Autumn edition of Industry Link! Summer recess is over and what a way to get rid of those holiday blues than with THE biggest nuclear event of the year so far, Nuclear Week in Parliament. Now in its third year, Nuclear Week is bigger and better than ever before, with more events, more receptions and more attendees.
As the week kicks off, the big industry news is still the launch of Great British Nuclear (GBN). It goes without saying that it’s a big deal and we’ve had just over a month to read the small print and digest the news. It’s why so much of this issue is dedicated to GBN, starting with a note from its interim CEO, Gwen Parry Jones who explains why this new body is so important for the future of the industry.
What about the SMR selection process I hear you ask...well, don’t worry, we have you covered with a special interview with Westinghouse’s Rita Baranwal on the launch of the AP300 SMR, and LRQA’s Simon Emeny assesses the reasons behind the UK’s championing of these smaller reactors.
Elsewhere in the issue, Urenco CCO, Laurent Odeh, looks at the role they are playing in the nuclear fuel supply chain as well as its part in supporting UK and global energy independence ambitions, and Last Energy details its plans on how to decarbonise heavy industry with its 20MW reactor.
All of us at the NIA hope you enjoy this bumper edition of Industry Link as we mark an important week in the nuclear calendar. Oh and don’t miss the special Nuclear Week programme which details some of the NIA’s key policy asks going forward!
Iolo James Head of Communications, EditorEditor - Iolo James
Art Editor - Dan Powney
Press & Advertisement Enquiries - press@niauk.org
Membership Enquiries - membership@niauk.org
Contributors - Lincoln Hill • Stephanie McKenna • Gwen Parry-Jones, GBN • Simon Emeny, LRQA • Dr Tom WallaceSmith, Astral Neutronics • Tris Denton, MoltexFLEX • Robert Boswall, Last Energy • Rita Baranwal, Westinghouse
• Laurent Odeh, Urenco • Tricia Austin, NSAN • with additional thanks to World Nuclear News
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Cover image - Courtesy of Urenco www.urenco.com
In July, some of you were able to join us at the Science Museum in London as the Secretary of State announced the start of Great British Nuclear’s (GBN) Small Modular Reactors (SMR) selection process. This was a landmark event both in demonstrating strong Government support for a revived new nuclear programme and for GBN as this programme’s delivery body.
This event showed that clearly we are changing the approach to nuclear power; essentially we are going against what had become the nuclear orthodoxy in this country, potentially unlocking billions of pounds of private and public investment. We have to go a long way back, perhaps to the days of the AGR fleet at places like Dungeness, Hartlepool and Heysham since there was this kind of nuclear ambition in the UK.
Of all the media comment associated with this event, what struck me the most was from a Guardian article which said simply: ‘now get on with it.’
So, what I want to talk about is just how we are doing just that. The key here is that while we are moving forward fast, it is also true that this process is not yet fully developed some of you will have questions that we are not ready to answer yet, so please bear with us while we work on them.
So how are we getting on with it? The initial phase of the SMR technical selection process was
a market intelligence gathering exercise we kicked off in April. The next was the Contract Notice published on 18 July which started a process that could lead to projects being taken to Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2029 and then to construction and to operation. The SMR bidders are being offered unprecedented level of support: funding for technology development and site-specific design; a close partnership with GBN and the deep industry experience it can harness; and help to access sites.
Part of the process we started in July was a Selection Questionnaire and during the summer interested companies have been responding to that. Then, in the autumn, we will announce which SMR technology providers have met the criteria and have been initially down selected. We will then start detailed negotiations with these companies, aiming to make a final decision on which companies to support as soon as possible.
The key to this process is that GBN is looking to establish a comprehensive partnership with
the successful bidder or bidders to drive projects forward. They will not be on their own. GBN will support the development of SMR technology itself as well as design, engineering, and supporting infrastructure to ensure we can deliver on our ambition for operational plants in the mid-2030s.
And this support includes siting. It was clear from the event in the Science Museum in July that there is growing local and regional interest in several sites for further nuclear development. This interest is something we welcome, both for current projects and beyond that.
While the technical selection we are looking at now is concentrated on the readiness of current SMR designs to deliver quickly, the Government is looking beyond this. It has made it clear that it is very interested in a full range of nuclear technologies, looking at how both large-scale and advanced modular reactor technologies could contribute to Britain’s need for secure, sustainable energy.
In the consultation coming out in the autumn will seek input on how GBN and the Government could support the private sector to bring projects forward beyond this round of SMRs, and not just in electricity generation but potentially in industrial decarbonisation as well as low-carbon heat and hydrogen production.
A full range of technologies offers more hope for Britain’s energy supply and its nuclear industry than it has done for decades and one that will all be brought together in the nuclear roadmap for civil nuclear. This roadmap will be available later this year and for the first time it will bring together a clear and consistent path ahead for nuclear power in this country.
Whilst the nuclear roadmap is for the Government to lead on, it is GBN’s task is to deliver, With the SMR selection process as the first point of call, followed by the other parts of our mission. Or, to echo the words of the Guardian to ‘get on with it’. And get on with it we will.
Companies can now register their interest to secure funding support to develop small modular reactor (SMR) projects in the UK with the newly launched Great British Nuclear (GBN) competition.
The government’s emphasis on SMRs is driven by a belief in the benefits they offer in meeting energy security and sustainability targets: generating reliable clean energy for 6 million homes and creating up to 10,000 highly skilled jobs across the UK. Energy Secretary, Grant Shapps, told the Financial Times that SMRs would help hit the UK’s target of producing 25% of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2050, up from 15% currently.
Yet a recent report by the MPs on the House of Commons science, innovation and technology committee has claimed that the UK’s ambitious plan to more than triple nuclear power generation capacity by 2050 badly lacks a strategic plan to achieve it. The report suggests that whilst the government’s target on nuclear energy is heading in the right direction, ministers need to be clear on how they propose to get there to encourage investment.
So, after years of under-investment, why does the government now feel that SMR is the solution to the UK’s nuclear challenge? And what can be done to address the concerns of the select committee, investors, and the general public?
One of the arguments often levelled is using offshore wind as a clean energy solution, so why, in a country that has plentiful access to wind are SMRs considered to be an important part of the future energy mix?
Offshore wind has benefitted from long-standing political support which has helped foster confidence within communities, in comparison to nuclear power in which a staggeringly low 25% of participants in a survey conducted by the BEIS Attitude Tracker for Energy Infrastructure and Energy Sources felt that nuclear energy didn’t provide a safe source of energy in the UK.
However, using offshore wind as a reliable tool for grid stabilisation has not yet been proven and the surface area and units required to match the megawatt output of an SMR fleet are considerably greater.
Sure, offshore wind remains an adequate form of energy, but with the UK government driven to meet the energy targets, it’s hard to envision
a future in which sufficient wind infrastructure will be built within the timeframes we have, especially in locations lacking an appropriate amount of wind power. Additionally, the location of offshore wind will require a significant increase in the transmission network, another hurdle and a potential public introduced roadblock.
Of course, SMR isn’t the only game in town, with Hinkley Point C expected to come online before the first wave of SMRs in the UK and Sizewell C still on the cards. But there are several factors that make SMR attractive as an alternative nuclear solution. While SMRs build on existing, proven nuclear technologies, their novelty lies in adopting factoryscale batch production methods, which can reduce costs compared to bespoke one-off projects. Prefabricated units of SMRs can be manufactured and shipped to be installed on-site, making them the cheaper and more flexible choice for energy production. This approach provides the opportunity to expand the use of SMRs efficiently and cost-effectively.
Whilst concerns over the lack of infrastructure are understandable, they are not insurmountable as the geography of the UK presents a wide variety of possibilities.
In theory, SMRs’ compact size allows them to be installed in locations that aren’t usually suitable for larger nuclear plants. They also require smaller volumes of water to cool them than traditional nuclear installations.
One of the main barriers to expanding energy access is a lack of infrastructure in rural areas. Whilst this is the case, there are several potential areas and possibilities such as placing a group of SMRs on an existing nuclear site or adjacent to it. This includes areas like Wylfa Newydd in Anglesey or Oldbury in Avon and Somerset. There is also potential for SMRs to be installed in more remote locations that are more inland such as Trawsfynydd.
The possibility of placing SMRs in these locations presents huge benefits associated with the localisation of energy. Deploying localised SMRs could stimulate competition and decrease prices
whilst empowering communities with authority over the energy resources they consume.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a single power plant of any kind should account for no more than 10% of the total installed grid capacity, meaning that in areas lacking transmission lines and grid capacity, SMRs could be a great option to plug into the grid or run remotely off-grid to provide low carbon power for the local population and industry.
With SMRs being a relatively new technology that organisations have not yet implemented into their energy landscape, there are challenges around regulation and security that need to be grappled with.
Addressing concerns related to potential accidents and risks is crucial for building public confidence in forms of nuclear power. Though SMRs have yet to be fully deployed, educating the public about their safety track record in the broader context of commercial nuclear power and international safety standards will be important.
This must be underpinned by stringent assurance practices. For SMRs to be handled safely, there need to be more licensed sites. This means that each power plant will have nuclear material that will have to comply with the UK Nuclear Installations Act, reinforcing security and safety for organisations, supply chains and members of the public. So, there is a balance between the number of sites and the concentration of SMRs on those sites as well as a consideration of when a large power plant is more economically desirable.
How the UK government funding is intended to be a catalyst to release other forms of funding and to promote confidence in the community
The current revival within the nuclear industry in the UK is establishing a benchmark for prominent international stakeholders, emphasising the critical role of nuclear energy in forging a more sustainable future, with the announcement of the GBN competition serving as a clear indicator of the robust commitment by the UK government to progress the nuclear agenda.
If the UK manages to get this right, we can establish ourselves as pioneers in the global nuclear industry while ensuring energy security and meeting our targets for decarbonisation.
The big nuclear news over the past few months was the official launch of Great British Nuclear (GBN). The great and the good of the industry packed out the Science Museum in early July to listen to the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Grant Shapps, announce this ‘British nuclear revival.’
The fact that GBN had already been announced a few months prior meant it wasn’t a huge media moment, but it was widely covered in the press with the Nuclear Minister Andrw Bowie on breakfast news duty covering TV and radio.
The NIA’s Chief Executive, Tom Greatrex, told Politico that the launch signalled an “important statement of intent”, but warned that the government would have to deliver the technology selection “at pace.”
A week later, the Government announced a £170 million cash boost for Sizewell C aimed at speeding up preparations for the flagship power station. Tom Greatrex told the Business Green website, that it was yet “another important step for energy security and for the future of clean power in Britain.”
The Suffolk power plant is a key part of the UK’s plans to sure up energy security ad will provide enough clean power for 6 million homes from a quarter of a square mile. The Sizewell C team hopes to reach Final Investment Decision by 2024.
At the end of July, a major report into delivering nuclear power was published by the House of Commons, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee which concluded that a strategic plan was needed from government setting out how it would meet its targets. The Committee’s Chair, former Energy Secretary Greg Clark, penned an op-ed in the FT titled, ‘Ambition alone will not build UK nuclear power,’ which outlined the report’s key findings.
Tom Greatrex was quoted in a sperate FT article, having welcomed the recommendation, adding: “The UK is well positioned to become a global hub for nuclear investment... If we don’t act now, we will lose out on energy security, environmental sustainability and jobs for our people.”
At the beginning of August, the FT ran a story detailing a new government taskforce to co-ordinate the training of thousands of British workers needed to build new power stations. Tom Greatrex said he hoped the taskforce would “go a long way in helping us reach the 200,000 or so jobs needed” to deliver on the target of building 24 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2050.
To mark the 40th anniversary of Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station, the NIA’s Director of Policy and External Affairs, Lincoln Hill, wrote a blog post paying tribute to the North East’s greatest ever energy asset, which appeared in the Hartlepool Mail. He wrote: “From less than one tenth of one square mile, it has produced enough clean, reliable, British power to light up every home in the Tees Valley for 200 years. No other station in the region comes close.”
He said nuclear can replace the burning of fossil fuels by heavy industry to generate home-produced electricity, and hydrogen or high-grade steam for industry… Hartlepool is the place to prove it can be done. It has a site designated for new nuclear development.”
THE CURRENT REVIVAL WITHIN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY IN THE UK IS ESTABLISHING A BENCHMARK FOR PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS, EMPHASISING THE CRITICAL ROLE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN FORGING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
For full versions and more details on these and other stories visit www.worldnuclear-news.org
The power output of unit 3 has been increased from 75% to 90% as energy start-up tests continue. The VVER440 is expected to enter commercial operation in the coming months.
The start-up process involves gradual increases in power, with tests carried out before the level is raised. The unit’s power was increased to 55% in March and to 75% in July. It has so far supplied about 650,000 MWh of electricity to the grid, equal to the annual consumption of 260,000 homes.
State-owned Societa Gestione Impianti Nucleari SpA (Sogin), has launched a tender for the dismantling of the reactor vessel and internals of the Garigliano nuclear plant.
The Garigliano boiling water reactor was connected to the grid in January 1964 and was shut down in 1982.
Sogin said the tender provides for the segmentation and extraction operations of the components and the vessel, which are heavily contaminated, to take place under water, which provides shielding for workers.
Separately, Sogin launched a tender for the construction of a facility for the recovery and treatment of radioactive Magnox alloy residues at the Latina nuclear plant.
TerraPower has awarded contracts to four companies to supply services and equipment for the Natrium reactor demonstration project being developed in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
The project features a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The storage technology can temporarily boost the system’s output to 500 MWe when needed, enabling the plant to follow daily electric load changes and integrate seamlessly with fluctuating renewable resources.
It was previously thought the project would be delayed by at least two years because there will not be sufficient commercial capacity to manufacture high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel in time to meet the proposed 2028 in-service date.
However, last month TerraPower and Centrus Energy Corp signed a memorandum of understanding to significantly expand their collaboration aimed at establishing commercial-
scale, US production capabilities for HALEU to supply TerraPower’s firstof-a-kind Natrium reactor and energy storage system.
The Australian government is no longer looking to site a national low and intermediate-level radioactive waste facility in Napandee in South Australia. It said it will not appeal a Federal Court decision to dismiss a 2021 declaration naming Napandee the proposed site for the facility and will now look at alternative proposals.
The area’s traditional landowners, the Barngarla people, argued they were not properly consulted by the former coalition government about the decision to select the site and sought judicial review.
Australia does not produce nuclear energy but has a long experience of operating research reactors and producing radioisotopes for use in medicine, research and industry.
The most recent national inventory showed it has 13,287 cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste and 4377 cubic metres of intermediate-level radioactive waste currently stored at over a hundred sites around the country, including science facilities, hospitals and universities.
The wonders of physics are multifaceted, especially when it comes to nuclear technologies. These aren’t just about power generation they’re about impacting our lives in real and meaningful ways, from curing cancer to powering space missions and even fighting famine through food sterilisation and crop mutation.
Think back to Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace speech in 1953, igniting a movement towards fission’s peaceful uses that continue to benefit society. Fusion is poised to unlock another swathe of advancements, even before a commercial power plant is plugged into the grid.
As an example, fusion’s potential role in nuclear medicine is an exciting development. Don’t confuse it with radiography, which uses beams like X-rays for imaging. Nuclear medicine, on the other hand, involves administering radioactive substances for both diagnosis and therapy, and it has historically relied on fission technology. Tens of thousands of procedures are done every year in the UK alone.
Diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes, like Tc-99m or I-131, are often made in dedicated high-flux fission research reactors through Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) targets. However, two-thirds of these ageing reactors are scheduled for shutdown by 2030, and there’s growing concern over the continued supply of crucial radionuclides. As fusion can be scaled down to something telephone-box or even desktop-sized, this has the potential to allow for reactors to be situated within hospitals.
For clinicians, this means they are no longer beholden to the menu of isotopes dictated by reactors in Europe and South Africa (where the UK imports the majority of its nuclear medicine). This
could unlock a whole host of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools, increasing health access, and shrinking costs for the NHS. Beyond the UK, there is a unique opportunity in developing countries with ageing demographics in need of nuclear medicine that don’t have the regulatory framework or budget to commit to a fission reactor.
Enter fusion, with fresh opportunities for nuclear medicine. It’s not only quicker to construct and deploy but also more cost-effective and localised compared to fission-based production. This means lower transport risks and greater sustainability, with less long-lived radioactive waste. Fusion’s different regulatory framework and rapid modular deployment offer a promising growth area over the next decade, offering socioeconomic benefits well before a commercial fusion power plant.
But fusion isn’t stopping at medical advancements. It’s also being explored to make fission more attractive by decreasing the lifetime of problematic high-level waste, with ARPA-E in the US hosting workshops on the topic. Even NASA is considering a hybrid fission-fusion system to explore the icy moons of our solar system, like Europa, in the quest to discover the first extraterrestrial lifeforms.
It’s an exciting time in the industry, we are witnessing a renewed interest in fission and fusion power as climate issues take centre stage. With the industry expanding, it will be interesting to see how nuclear technology continues to evolve, with complementary advancements in fusion and fusion leading the charge towards new horizons.
Whether in our hospitals or on distant planets, the nuclear industry keeps pushing the boundaries, watch this space!
On 10 January 2008, Government launched the Nuclear White Paper, calling on industry to bring forward proposals for new nuclear power stations. On 18 July 2023, Grant Shapps launched GBN. Nuclear was on the verge of a renaissance, with climate change at the top of the agenda. Tensions between Russian and Ukraine in 2005 had highlighted the strategic importance of energy. ‘Part of the solution’ emphasised that nuclear would play its role in addressing the trilemma of cost, security, and carbon emissions alongside renewables.
The need for clean energy has intensified. Global carbon emissions have risen by 5.61 billion tonnes per year emissions equivalent to adding 13-and-ahalf countries like the UK. Just to displace current fossil fuels by 2050, 15,670 GW of capacity must be added. If global consumption grows as much as it did in the last 27 years, that becomes 24,695 GW.
Energy costs have risen. In 2007, the average UK household’s electricity bill was around £375 per year. Today, it is £2,670. With energy driving inflation, we must also ensure energy cost security structurally insulating consumer costs from raw material cost shocks.
Finance is more challenging. In January 2008, Lehman Brothers was still operational. Global capital markets were liquid and buoyant. On 18 July 2023, global capital markets were close to their most constrained in a generation.
Deep decarbonisation is better understood. Electricity accounts for c.20% of global energy use. The other 80% is far more difficult to decarbonise but decarbonise it we must.
Sizewell C is essential to the UK. Alongside Hinkley C, it will form the backbone of clean energy baseload through this century. However, on their own, these plants do not drive a shift in the energy mix, nor do they demonstrate global leadership. More and diverse solutions are needed, which is why we were delighted to see the SMR competition launched by GBN.
And yet, even if we combine Hinkley C, Sizewell C and 10 SMRs, we would still fall short by more than 10GWe of the Government’s 24GWe target. Moreover, we would still be focusing primarily on electricity.
To really meet our goals of decarbonising electricity alongside the wider economy, we need multiple technologies to be ‘part of the solution’ and diversity in the nuclear generation mix is crucial. LWRs are great I’m a huge believer in the role they must play, but it wouldn’t make sense to build one type of technology alone, given the diverse needs of end-users. By diversifying nuclear generation, we can more rapidly and effectively provide load-following electricity, process heat, and hydrogen production.
This is where advanced nuclear technologies (ANTs) come in, and why Government’s commitment to consult this autumn on enabling more and different technologies to come to market is so important. ANTs stand on the shoulders of giants to innovate not just in deliverability but also in the fundamental
When I first worked for NIA, in 2007, we used the strapline ‘Part of the solution’. Then, as now, nuclear was in a phase of renewal.
The simple principles underpinning the FLEX reactor are complex to design—achieving simplicity is difficult. For decades, MSRs were considered inviable, primarily due to corrosion and inventory control challenges. However, MoltexFLEX believes it has a solution.
By keeping all radiological activity within fuel pins (just like a PWR or BWR) and flowing an entirely non-radiological coolant salt through the system, we address the inventory challenge.
Corrosion is addressed through a range of strategies, including a major focus on sacrificial chemistry. We have tested chemical and metallurgical solutions in our lab ovens for sustained periods, giving us a viable operational basis for the plant.
Now comes the surge. We need to pivot to engineering design. We need a clear, structured, and costed programme to deliver a technical demonstration unit in the UK by the turn of the decade. We need to establish the industrial delivery relationships essential for success. And we need to find a supportive community willing to work alongside us, and become the home of commercial molten salt technology into the 2030s and beyond.
aspects of nuclear technology, such as new fuels and coolants, and passively safe designs.
As a vendor, I believe MoltexFLEX could be well placed to provide part of the near term SMR solution that GBN is procuring. However, four technologies is not the full breadth of the market and it’s vital that the system enables technologies to succeed where they can do so on merit, and does not artificially and prematurely exclude any.
To achieve this, all vendors need clarity on the route to market alongside the GBN process. A stable policy framework on siting, regulations, and CfDs is essential, as is assurance that enablers will remain open to projects developed with or without explicit Government support.
Moltex’s mission is to leverage the inherent features of molten salt to reduce capex. Let’s be clear: in operations, molten salt is no safer than other type of plant. All modern nuclear is safe. The difference is that it achieves that same level of safety through inherent scientific principles rather than engineered safety trains, leading to significant reductions in cost.
Moltex’s first focus, when the group was formed, was a waste-burning concept currently being developed in Canada. After this, Moltex’s founders turned their attention to a mass-market global product to compete with fossil fuels for market share.
The FLEX reactor is a small factory-built unit, roughly the size of a small house, with an output of 40MWth/16MWe. Yet there is huge scope to significantly enhance this output; this would involve minimal design changes, and is a key part of our forward engineering programme. It uses 5% low enriched uranium as fuel and commercially available materials, including commercial standard steels, that have existing supply routes.
The passive safety features of the FLEX reactor, and the fact that it uses c.10% of the systems found in other plants, contribute to its compact size. Its 750°C thermal output means it can easily produce steam compatible with fossil-fuel standard turbines. In some operating conditions, we believe we could achieve LCOE below £30/MWh.
With our proprietary GridReserve® thermal energy storage system, the plant can respond to demand meaning it can load-follow. As renewables rightly take a greater share of electricity grids globally, the systems needs ever more peakload power, and it’s generally still provided by gas. The ability to load follows means the FLEX is not necessarily competing with traditional nuclear for baseload but also with gas, for peakload.
Overall, the FLEX concept adapts Moltex’s early work into a rapidly deployable, globally applicable, low capex unit, targeting capital costs in the low£10s-M per reactor island around £1,250/kWe.
FLEX reactors operate at atmospheric pressure, so there is no explosive release fault scenario, and fission products are retained as salts that freeze upon contact with air or ground, minimising offsite release scenarios.
MoltexFLEX, Ltd. was launched in late 2022 to drive an engineering programme, engage regulators, build client confidence, and deliver a first-of-a-kind project in the UK around the turn of the decade. This is our mission, and we are focused relentlessly on it.
The FLEX technology complements its peers, with ANT playing a role alongside traditional nuclear, and nuclear working in harmony with renewables. Climate change is the challenge of our generation, and we must all prepare to be part of the solution.
Applications to immobilise contamination within pipes, ducts, and voids prior to cutting and disposal.
Design & Development of bespoke solutions to improve safety and reduce cost when conducting nuclear decommissioning.
A growing portfolio of successful projects in the nuclear decommissioning industry worldwide.
Over 30 Years’ Experience
Cost Saving Solutions
Remote Application Solutions
Reduces Operator Exposure
Recent spikes in wholesale energy prices across the UK and Europe have put added pressure on our domestic industries. Companies operate on tight margins, grappling with rising energy costs and limited avenues to absorb these expenses.
The closure of CF Fertilisers’ Billingham ammonia plant and the temporary shutdown of its Teesside facility are stark indicators of this challenge. In September of 2022 Bloomberg reported that 60% of British manufacturers are at risk due to escalating energy bills.
This volatility is not fleeting. With electricity prices linked to gas prices, a retiring nuclear fleet, the UK’s dependence on energy imports, and the rise of intermittent generation without adequate storage, we are facing continued price fluctuations. Cornwall Insight’s Benchmark Power Curve forecasts that by 2030, seasonal price differentials could soar to nearly £120/MWh.
Last Energy’s solution is straightforward it is about delivering energy, not just building reactors.
Through a physical Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), we offer baseload electricity and industrial heat directly to customers at fixed prices for 12 to
24 years; with the plant operating for another 20 years on top of that. We achieve this by co-locating one or more of our 20MW Pressurised Water Reactor power plants with our customers and providing them electricity over a private wire connection, heat using heat exchangers, or both. Our plants, designed for black starts, eliminate the need for grid connections. However, in the case that customers want electricity over the grid, we can do that too via a virtual PPA. In either case, our air-cooled design and compact footprint allow for versatile, distributed deployment, even in areas with limited water access. This contract offers a reliable baseload energy solution, shielding industries from the uncertainties of market prices for up to 24 years, and effectively addressing the core concerns of affordability, sustainability, and supply security.
Importantly, we are not seeking government grants or loans. Using the guaranteed revenue of the PPA, we are backed by private capital sources ready to provide the necessary debt and equity for our projects. Our power plants benefit from full modularisation and their compact design, which significantly reduces build times.
Our power output allows us to scale the number of facilities to meet customer demand
Industry in the UK is at a crunch point. The pressing need for substantial amounts of electricity and heat has made it vulnerable to a volatile energy market, further intensifying the challenge of decarbonisation.
This efficiency not only curtails costs but also prevents the accumulation of capital-related expenses. By constructing multiple units on a single site in a staggered manner, the revenue from the initial units can offset the capital expenditure of subsequent units. To put this into perspective, consider the potential cost savings if a project like Hinkley Point C could activate 10% of its generation annually during its build.
We are on an unwavering trajectory, rapidly establishing our manufacturing capacity, finalising supply contracts, signing more PPAs, and securing private funding. A distinctive aspect of our approach is the co-location with our customers. This innovative step, essential for decarbonising industrial energy, in particular heat, is a first for nuclear in the UK.
To fully realise our vision of a robust, competitive nuclear-as-a-service market, we are actively working to streamline and optimise the existing, albeit lesstravelled, licensing and permitting processes; so that with proportionate regulations we can execute a fleet approach. Proactive collaboration with government affords clarity that makes projects even more attractive to private financing; it is akin to a dance where both regulators and project investors must move in harmony to ensure success.
Last Energy is at the forefront of reshaping the nuclear sector. With our 20MW Pressurised Water Reactor and commercial model, we present a robust solution to the energy challenges faced by UK industry. Our approach is not about reinventing technology but enhancing its delivery. This is the moment for nuclear and industry to collaborate and help Britain to clean up.
DELIVERING ENERGY, NOT JUST POWER PLANTS: THROUGH PPAS, LAST ENERGY OFFERS CLEAN, RELIABLE ENERGY DIRECTLY TO INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS AT SET PRICES.
Jobs mean these communities can continue to flourish and families can continue to be supported. This year’s Jobs Map paints a picture of an industry full of confidence which is going from strength to strength.
Compiled annually by the NIA, the Jobs Map is a breakdown of how many people are employed by the UK nuclear industry. It is an essential visual tool, used to track which parts of the country are home to a nuclear workforce. And just like last year, 2023 didn’t disappoint. 77,413 people are currently employed in the civil nuclear sector, the highest ever, and an increase of almost 20% compared to 2022.
The industry is a vital engine of economic development, particularly in the North West, which remains the epicentre of the industry with more than 27,000 people employed. From Copeland to Warrington it is the home of a world-class skills base in decommissioning and fuel. The South West is next with over 23,000 jobs, fuelled by Hinkley Point C, Europe’s largest construction project. A Hinkley-replica at Sizewell could provide a big boost for numbers in the South East too, which is currently at over 8,000 workers.
These numbers reflect the healthy state of the sector, with advancements happening in all corners of the industry, from SMRs to fusion, from decommissioning to GW scale plants, although there is work to be done to keep things on an upward trajectory. Urgent investment is needed to ensure national critical skills are not lost, particularly as the existing fleet retires. Numbers don’t lie, and this year’s Jobs Map is a testament of where we are and where we are going as an industry. You can access the Jobs Map online at www.niauk.org/nia-jobs-map-2023 and we urge you share as far and wide as possible!
Jobs Map 2023: For over 65 years the nuclear industry has been providing good, well-paid, skilled jobs for people across the UK, with proud ‘nuclear communities’ dotted all over the country.
Rita Baranwal was named Senior Vice President for Energy Systems at Westinghouse in May 2023 to drive the development of the company’s latest nuclear energy technology, the AP300™ small modular reactor.
Baranwal has more than 25 years of experience at Westinghouse and in the nuclear energy industry, notably having served as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy in the US Department of Energy (DOE) in a US President-appointed and Senate-confirmed role. She has also served in leadership positions at the Electric Power Research Institute, Idaho National Laboratory, and previously at Westinghouse.
Iolo James: Rita, thank you for speaking with us. We are about twothirds through the year and already it’s been a significant one for Westinghouse. Recently, commercial operation entered at Plant Vogtle’s Unit 3 for the AP1000® reactor, fuel load scheduled soon for Unit 4 there, and in May you launched a brand new reactor technology, the AP300™ small modular reactor.
Rita Baranwal: My pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity. Yes, we launched the AP300 SMR on May the fourth which, if you are a dedicated Star Wars fan, is a great day to launch an exciting new technology.
IJ: Tell us about it.
RB: The AP300 SMR is a singleloop, pressurised water reactor that features the advanced passive safety systems pioneered by Westinghouse. It has a compact footprint. In fact, we have a rendering that shows the safety related footprint sits on about a quarter of a soccer pitch. And like the AP1000 reactor, it can provide not just electricity, but steam for district heating and hydrogen production.
The success we are seeing with the AP1000 technology around the world, setting operational records in China and now beginning commercial operations in Georgia, it bodes well for the AP300 SMR which is truly based on the proven AP1000 technology.
IJ: How are the two reactors similar?
RB: The AP300 SMR is the only small modular reactor based on an Nth-ofa-kind licensed and operating reactor, the AP1000. The AP300 SMR uses identical technologies as the AP1000 reactor but is optimised for the size and power output of the AP300, which is 300 MWe versus the 1100+ MWe of the AP1000 reactor. So, that means identical passive safety systems, same fuel, and same I&C systems,
structural modules, major equipment and components. But in developing the AP300 SMR, we used innovation to increase value by reducing the overall number of components.
Westinghouse has a clear understanding of the cost drivers of an SMR, such as large plant footprints but small megawatt output, no established supply chain and a focus on unproven designs.
We know from the customers we talked with that this is a key differentiator for them from other technology offerings, which use novel concepts or first-of-a-kind designs. If we want to deliver the economic promises of SMRs, we need to standardise designs around the simplest ones, and standardise deliveries at a large number. That’s what we did with the AP300.
IJ: What benefits can be gained from such an approach?
RB: They are myriad, really. The highest hurdles for entry into the nuclear reactor marketplace are licensing and constructability. The AP300 SMR is essentially a miniAP1000 system, based on the only Gen III+ reactor technology to receive regulatory approval in the US, China and Britain. The licensing experience of the AP1000, for us and regulators, means this is not new. They have seen this technology before so it’s familiar. That’s a huge advantage.
We are targeting 2027 for design certification, with construction of the first AP300 SMR beginning in the 2030 timeframe
IJ: Are there other advantages to following this path?
RB: Yes, there are. I mentioned constructability. Twelve AP1000 reactors have completed construction or are currently under construction. In nuclear energy, we learn by doing. The lessons learned
from those projects directly benefit the first AP300 SMR that will be built. That reduces risk for customers.
The “M” in SMR stands for modular but creating a truly modular reactor takes experience. The AP1000 reactor is designed to have multiple parts fabricated off-site and shipped to the location for assembly and installation by the constructor. In fact, it features nearly 60 of these structural and mechanical modules.
Another key advantage is a mature supply chain that has been developed for the AP1000 reactor over more than a decade.
IJ: The UK recently announced the formation of Great British Nuclear to advance nuclear energy development in the UK Can the reactors from Westinghouse play a role in that?
RB: Absolutely. Westinghouse has a long history of supporting the British nuclear industry through our Springfields fuel fabrication facility, which was recently awarded several grants to continue advancing its capability to develop fuels for new reactors, including the AP1000 reactor and the AP300 SMR. Westinghouse is developing these large and small reactors to complement each other, and adding in Springfields to fabricate their fuel provides a nice homegrown synergy.
When we launched the AP300 SMR it was with an understanding that every grid and every situation perhaps can’t accommodate a large reactor. So, with the AP300 we’ve increased flexibility for customers while reducing FOAK risks and regulatory risks, which is beneficial for utility and industrial customers.
Since the launch we have signed MOUs in Finland and Slovakia to explore the potential deployment of AP300 SMRs, and we expect to sign more. It’s an exciting time and I’m honored to be leading an amazing team in this effort
This is a crucial period for the industry. After years of falling in and out of public and political favour there is again talk of a “new dawn” for nuclear power, and with increased cross-party support for new nuclear, the industry must come together to harness the momentum.
The commitment to the funding of Sizewell C; the creation and launch of Great British Nuclear (GBN); the financial support from the Nuclear Fuel Fund (NFF) as well as the announcement of the Atlantic Declaration to deepen UK-US cooperation in nuclear energy were all key developments in this current Parliament and we must build on this in the next Parliament.
The combination of the climate crisis and energy security concerns in the light of the Ukraine conflict is resulting in a greater demand for nuclear energy and in our case, Urenco’s enrichment services.
In the long-term, increased capacity both domestically and globally will be required throughout the fuel cycle to ensure we can continue to deliver low-carbon energy to new and existing customers. Urenco, as a leading enrichment company in the Western world, has a duty to respond to the needs of the market and we stand ready to support. Our key supporting arm comes in the form of a capacity expansion programme to extend and refurbish enrichment services at our four sites.
We announced our first expansion in July, at our USA site, illustrating our ability to invest in a growing market and bolster wider supplies. It’s a 15% increase in SWU for the US site alone and the first cascades will come online in 2025.
We will continue to monitor, forecast and support our customers and governments as we look to take the necessary investment decisions to support the market.
The UK has a proud history of technological and operational advancements that have contributed to nuclear being a major source of safe, low carbon, and reliable energy. Nuclear is already one of the single largest and most reliable low-carbon energy sources in the UK and new and advanced nuclear technologies hold even more potential for generating clean electricity, hydrogen and heat.
For advanced reactor technology to strengthen the economy and ensure energy independence for ourselves and others, we must have a stable and secure domestic source of nuclear fuel. Developing a reliable market supply of high-assay low-enriched
uranium (HALEU), which many advanced reactor designs will require as fuel, will prove pivotal especially as Russia is currently the only commercial HALEU supplier in the world.
We are ready to support the development of advanced fuels for these reactors and were recently awarded £9.6 million in funding from the UK Government’s NFF to progress production. More specifically, the funding will be used for the concept design of plants and processes concerning advanced fuels.
We have the knowledge, expertise and experience to play a leading role in this area. The importance of government support for this new, incoming market cannot be underestimated.
As we look towards a low-carbon future with nuclear energy as a strong part of the mix, a capable, resilient and diverse workforce will be crucial.
For the first time in decades, the UK is set to build more nuclear reactors. This means that we’ll need increased numbers of highly-skilled people to construct and operate the new fleet, to continue to run the existing stations, decommission the older ones, and process nuclear waste.
A peak of new workers into the sector is expected to occur in the next two or three years with overlapping builds at Hinkley Point and Sizewell, and the addition of further developments following the completion of the Great British Nuclear (GBN) SMR competition. These recruitment pressures are already being felt along the supply chain including at Urenco so attracting, training and retaining the workforce needs co-ordinated action by the whole sector.
It is essential, too, that we are able to draw on a wider pool of talent. Urenco is seeking to expand capacity at our UK enrichment facility in Capenhurst in the North West of England which will require a range of new technical and operational roles. So we are committed to employing individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to allow us to build a diverse and innovative team.
By harnessing new talent, the industry will not only enable the successful growth of the nuclear sector but also help to ensure the UK’s economic growth and prosperity. There will be job opportunities for tens of thousands across the UK particularly in regions outside of London and the South East.
By working in collaboration across government, skills bodies, academia, and unions, we can meet the Government’s ambitious programme to build new nuclear whilst boosting vital jobs, skills, and investment across our towns and regions.
In June Tricia Austin was appointed as Managing Director of NSAN, a skills focussed membership organisation dedicated to supporting companies working in nuclear. She has been a key figure on the skills for nuclear agenda since joining NSAN in 2007 and brings a wealth of expertise and innovation to lead NSAN into a new era.
Congratulations on your new role. To some, you are well-known in connection with skills for nuclear. To those that may not have met you before, tell us a bit about yourself, how did you start in nuclear?
“My journey in the nuclear industry has been a rich and varied one, spanning over 25 years. Starting out as a graduate Chemical Engineer at AWE, I have naturally transitioned throughout the sector and have had the privilege to work in different roles within both the civil and defence aspects of the industry and believe that I have benefitted both professionally and as an individual from doing this. I also have a unique mix of experience in both the private and public sectors with considerable skills in managing the complex interface between the two and have worked on and delivered multi-faceted projects in this complex environment in a diverse range of areas strategic, technical, education and skills. This diverse experience has provided me with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the entire sector.
“One significant point in my journey was in 2007 when I was given the opportunity as a consultant at Serco to support the business plan for the development of NSAN (National Skills Academy for Nuclear). The organisation was successfully launched in October 2007 at which point I decided to take on a new opportunity to development lead for all NSAN’s skills solutions. This experience has allowed me to delve into the strategic aspects of the industry, which has fuelled my passion for skills development and the critical role it plays in the industry’s growth.”
“Well, that is a big question! Looking ahead, I’m genuinely excited about the trajectory of the nuclear industry. The current landscape offers a unique chance to redefine the role of nuclear power as we strive to achieve ambitious environmental goals, including the UK ‘net zero’ emissions target. The commitments from the UK government to invest in new nuclear projects, the development of innovative technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), initiatives like AUKUS, and the launch of Great British Nuclear underscore the pivotal role nuclear energy will play in our journey toward greater energy independence.
“However, it’s crucial to highlight that the success of all these endeavours hinges on people—having a diverse and skilled workforce that will drive innovation to meet the challenges and exciting path ahead. In line with this, my vision for NSAN is deeply rooted in collaboration. I believe in fostering strong partnerships between industry, academia, training companies, and government. By working together, we can collectively address the evolving skills requirements of the nuclear sector and ensure that our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of the planned activities.
“The recent launch of the Nuclear Skills Taskforce is indeed a significant step in bolstering the skills agenda within the nuclear sector. However, I firmly believe that the onus is on us, the industry and its stakeholders, to actively bring these initiatives to fruition. At NSAN, we are committed to promoting and facilitating this collaboration. Over the years, we have established
strong collaborative relationships with employers, training providers, governments, and other key stakeholders. This approach, encompassing an employer-driven perspective, is essential to nurturing a skilled workforce that can contribute to the growth and success of the nuclear industry.”
Any latest developments from NSAN?
“We have just launched INsight to Nuclear, a new programme to support companies who may be looking to move into nuclear. This programme will provide insights into the industry’s regulations, standards, and the processes involved in bidding for contracts. It will provide invaluable insights to individuals both new to nuclear and companies considering whether they have the right skills and appetite to work within the sector.
“INsight to Nuclear was born from the success of the GAIN programme (Growing Awareness In Nuclear) which was developed for online delivery during lockdown to enable companies to onboard new recruits. GAIN has been hugely successful and is being adopted more widely.
“In addition to the above, our members highlighted two areas of focus for NSAN in 2023 recruitment and social value. We have worked with our members to articulate the problem statement and drive forward actions in these specific areas. We will also be showcasing some best practice in these areas, both from within and external to the nuclear sector at our Empowering Growth through Collaboration event on the 27 September.”
As a new Managing Director, how would you describe your leadership style?
“I believe in a leadership style that is inclusive and empowers employees to contribute and be their best. At NSAN we have a team of highly dedicated people who are committed to delivering for our members and the wider industry. I believe that transparency, open communication, and a strong emphasis on integrity helps to build a culture in which people can strive to be the best version of themselves. I’m a firm believer in leading by example and fostering an environment where everyone’s ideas are valued.”
Have you any career highlights?
“There are too many highlights to choose from having such a wide and varied career, but for me there are two things that stand out.
“One is progressing as I have as a female engineer in the sector having come from being one of two females on my degree programme. As I sit back and reflect on the changes that have taken place since then, it is great to see more younger woman following technical pathways and we have seen many great individuals coming through the UK Nuclear Skills Awards.
“The second was leading on the development of an industry-wide competency management system in collaboration with employers. It started its journey as the “Nuclear Skills Passport” system when launched in 2011; the system has since had three major updates to align to the needs of employers and adopt the latest technology and is now known as Skills Assured.”
NIA was thrilled to host our first ever advanced nuclear technologies event in June, which took place at Manchester’s iconic Concorde Centre. What better way to celebrate the future of nuclear and all the incredible First of a Kind reactors and technologies than with our very own FOAK conference.
We kicked everything off with ANTfest, a chance for delegates to network, enjoy live music, test their skills on the flight simulator, and of course, the star of the evening: touring the legendary Concorde. Some even got to sit in the very seat the Queen sat in... others had to settle for where the Queen’s handbag went! Those very lucky ones got to sit in the cockpit.
The main event ANT 2023 began with introductions from our platinum sponsors X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear, followed by a government update by the Nuclear Minister, Andrew Bowie. His fast paced speech gave us all a lot to think about and he assured the audience that he and the government were seriously backing nuclear, and envisaged a bright future ahead for the sector which set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
Chloe Fletcher from TÜV SÜD Nuclear Technologies gave an excellent presentation, setting out where we stand on ANTs in the UK, the challenges ahead, and the opportunities for all parts of the industry.
Our incredible speakers and panellists covered a range of topics, from the commercialisation of ANTs, planning and regulatory challenges, funding and investment of advanced reactors, advanced fuels, fusion and nuclear-derived synthetic fuels and hydrogen.
We would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and delegates who attended and made our event possible. It was great to bring together over 300 people from across the industry and beyond in what is an extremely important time for the industry, particularly with the recent launch of Great British Nuclear and the SMR selection process. We are without doubt one step closer on the road to net zero.
Want to know what’s coming up next? NIA members can enjoy business groups from September to December on Decommissioning and Waste Management, New Build and Existing Generation, Fusion, Quality, Legal and Financial Services and International. The calendar year will conclude with our flagship event Nuclear 2023 on 7 December in London. Details on all of these events can be found on the NIA hub.
Work has started to remove historic waste from one of Sellafield’s oldest storage facilities in a significant step forward at the Cumbrian site.
This week saw the achievement of a momentous milestone at Sellafield as the first batch of waste was successfully retrieved from the site’s oldest waste store.
After weeks of preparation, the Pile Fuel Cladding Silo retrievals team gathered around to witness the moment a state-of-the-art robotic arm reached into the silo to remove and repackage waste for the first time.
Built in the 1950s to store cladding from used nuclear fuel from the Windscale Piles the first nuclear reactors to be built at Sellafield the vast concrete silo was designed as a ‘locked vault’ with no plan for how to retrieve its contents or decommission the building.
After almost 20 years of operations the silo’s 6 compartments were filled and it stopped receiving waste in the early 1970s. In the years that followed the building underwent several upgrades to ensure it could continue to store its contents safely while a plan for retrievals was developed.
Today it represents one of the most complex decommissioning challenges in the world and one of the highest priorities for Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
In the last decade a giant concrete superstructure has been built around the silo and specially engineered shield doors have been installed on each of its 6 compartments. In 2017 holes were successfully cut in the top of each compartment, allowing access to the waste for the first time in 65 years.
Sellafield Ltd then designed, manufactured, tested, and installed 9 huge modules containing the machinery needed to empty the silo. This was done in collaboration with Bechtel and Cavendish Nuclear Solutions.
Successful testing of the robot grab was carried out earlier this month, paving the way for the historic achievement of the first waste retrievals from the silo. Operators remotely reached into the silo and picked up the waste before loading it into a specially designed stainless-steel box. Once filled, the box will be loaded into a shielded flask and transported to a new, fit-for-purpose store called the Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store. Retrievals from the silo mark a significant step forward in the clean-up and decommissioning of one of the most hazardous buildings on the Sellafield site.
Urenco has been awarded £9.56 million in funding from the UK Government that will support the production of advanced fuels for the nuclear reactors of tomorrow.
The company received the funding from The Nuclear Fuel Fund, as part of the British energy security strategy, which is supporting the nuclear fuel supply chain to develop new capabilities to meet current and future fuel demand in the UK and worldwide.
Advanced fuels are required for the next generation of reactors coming to market, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced modular reactors (AMRs). Urenco has plans to develop new capabilities in enrichment and chemistry services supporting these fuels at its UK and USA sites, and work is ongoing.
The funding from the UK Government of £9.56 million will be used for the concept design of plants and processes supporting the further development of advanced fuels.
“Urenco is proud to be supporting the evolution of the nuclear fuel cycle to supply the next generation of reactor technology and this award marks a milestone in our journey. We have the knowledge, expertise and experience to play a leading role in this area, which will provide an enhanced service for our customers and make a positive contribution to net zero targets.”
Boris Schucht, CEO of UrencoIn support of Urenco’s application, the company submitted detailed plans to the Nuclear Fuel Fund, the success of which underscores the importance of a domestic fuel supply in the UK.
Urenco is committed to supporting the Government’s ambition to increase civil nuclear generation up to 24GW by 2050, which is approximately 25% of the UK’s electricity demands.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has commissioned Arup, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and the Nuclear Futures Institute at Bangor University to work to identify and map the availability of historic nuclear research, development and deployment (RD&D) that could support the development and deployment of Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANTs) as part of a secure, low carbon energy mix.
The Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) Knowledge Capture project is designed to support the AMR RD&D programme and wider AMR deployment in the UK, to help deliver the government’s target of netzero gas emissions by 2050. The project will aim to help reduce the time, risk and cost of development and deployment through dissemination of the information and enable UK organisations in accessing international funding.
World-leading specialists from Arup, NNL and Bangor University will be speaking with industry experts from across the nuclear energy sector to identify, map and catalogue available information associated with historic UK facilities and R&D programmes. This historical knowledge could play a significant role in supporting the UK’s transition to an energy secure, low carbon energy system.
“This project has the potential to form an important part in future low carbon energy. We know that organisations and colleagues in the nuclear energy sector collectively have a wealth of knowledge, it’s now a matter of finding and cataloguing that information.”
Tim Hawley, AMR Knowledge Capture Project Director from Arup
“This is a critical programme to support advanced nuclear technologies. It will ensure that decades of knowledge is carefully stored, to support our future nuclear ambitions. As the government’s trusted national laboratory, we are pleased to support Arup with our extensive network and data mining capability.”
Dr Gareth Headdock, Vice President of Government and New Build, National Nuclear Laboratory
“Nuclear engineering is in a seriously exciting moment, where opportunities to make a real impact are clear and the industry partners are looking for talent that will lead us to a low-carbon future. Bangor University is proud to be a part of the team delivering this exciting project.”
Professor Simon Middleburgh, Co-director of the Nuclear Futures Institute at Bangor University
Contact AMRKnowledgeCapture@arup.com or go to the AMR Knowledge Capture page on the NNL website to find out more.
The NIA has received an overwhelming show of support from membership in response to the recent news of JF Nuclear going into administration. Contact details and current vacancies from an array of NIA members are being hosted on the Hub at www.niauk.org/jfn-current-vacancies for JF Nuclear employees to explore job opportunities. If your organisation would like to be included on the list email alexander.buckley@niauk.org
Taking note of this compact crane’s popularity and all-important green credentials, Osprey has signed a contract with Tadano UK for a brand new CC3800-1. Osprey’s crane fleet continues to expand. Its working with many clients who have key infrastructure projects that demand bigger and more capable machines but also with clients who, like Osprey, believe it’s important to invest in green technology. To date in 2023, Osprey has invested in a variety of cranes including a CC2400, a CC3800-1, an LTR1100 and an LTM1200. In addition to those units, it has further invested in technical lifting solutions with a new Enerpac JS250 hydraulic gantry system. As Osprey are prioritising green credentials, it is expanding its capabilities even further with the purchase of an additional, brandnew CC3800-1, direct from Tadano UK.
“Our existing CC3800-1 has more than proven its worth. Because they come with a variety of load options, these machines offer superb flexibility for complex challenges and challenging sites. They have exceptional capacities for such a compact crane. This, coupled with the pipeline that followed-on naturally, plus the unit’s impressive green credentials and the great support we’ve been getting from Tadano UK, made it a very easy decision to place the order for a second, brand new CC3800-1. We’re looking forward to it arriving in Q4 this year, ready for work in 2024.”
As the CC3800-1 will be Tier 4F and Euro 5 compliant, and meets all current emission standards, this new machine will have green credentials that meet Osprey’s ESG policies an all-important criteria for project managers intent on meeting their own ESG targets, across the supply chain.
AGILIA
agilia.co.uk
Agilia IS a specialist consultancy with extensive experience delivering major infrastructure projects. Its mission is to inspire sustainable improvement in the delivery of major infrastructure projects whilst developing the future leaders of its field.
barndoorstrategy.com
Barndoor Strategy has a business model built around a digital network offering expert senior counsel to firms, individuals and other consultancies. Its focus is high-quality strategic support using 21st century communication tools to offer the best possible advice on how to navigate the court of public opinion.
DIGILAB
digilab.co.uk
digiLab is a data science and machine learning company providing solutions for the nuclear sector. Its proprietary software ‘twinLab’ enables no-code machine learning with the ability to run machine learning models from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
EY ey.com/en_uk
EY is a leading professional services advisor to the nuclear sector both globally and in the UK. Its services include assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Its nuclear work includes creating investment models, helping raise capital and improving learning and capabilities to deliver projects.
LESIDI NUCLEAR
lesedins.co.za
SERVICES
Lesedi is a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company, having successfully completed numerous key projects in nuclear, industrial power, mining and oil and gas environments.
OSBORNE
osborneclarke.com
Osborne Clarke connect the dots to give legal advice that is greater than the sum of its parts.
We take a three-dimensional approach, combining our legal expertise and sector and client understanding with insight into the global issues driving transformation in our clients’ businesses.
RAM UNIVERSAL LTD
ramuniversal.co.uk
RAM Universal Ltd supplies high quality valve and control solutions globally. It has supported the nuclear industry for over 20 years and is proud to be one of the few suppliers offering the Rolls Royce SABRe accreditation. It also designs and manufactures highquality bespoke solutions to meet its clients specific requirements.
roadmappingtechnology.com
Roadmapping Technology is dedicated to engaging with Enterprise customers to improve management of the whole Innovation lifecycle from Strategy through to execution and delivery.
At each stage, management is provided with up to date information to make better data-driven decisions ensuring maximum value delivery.
COHESIVE cohesivegroup.com
Cohesive brings you the world’s leading digital engineering, enterprise asset management, asset delivery and asset service performance optimisation solutions. Cohesive is a life cycle digital integrator delivering transformational outcomes across the built and natural environment.
Not a member? To find out about the NIA and benefits of membership scan the QR code. To discuss membership options available to your company call +44 (0)20 7766 6651 or email membership@niauk.org
Decommissioning and Waste Management Group
Wednesday 20 September, Warrington
New Build and Existing Generation Group
Wednesday 4 October, Ipswich
Fusion Group
Thursday 19 October, Culham
MIKE WAITE NUCLEAR CONSULTING mwnc.co.uk
Leveraging years of international nuclear new build market experience and contacts, to offer consultancy services to vendors, stakeholders, and government organisations. Providing expert market intelligence and analysis, new markets support, and solutions to processes and programme structures.
International Group
Wednesday 8 November, Knutsford
DECOM2024
Wednesday 26 June 2024, Telford International Centre
NIA affiliated events:
Engineering & Technology Solutions Exhibition
Tuesday 19 September, Warrington
NOF Networking Lunch
Tuesday 26 September, Durham
STEPHENSON HARWOOD LLP shlegal.com
Stephenson Harwood LLP is a law firm which is focused on five core areas life sciences; decorbonisation (including Nuclear Energy); private capital and funds; technology; and transportation and trade.
Nuclear Manufacturing Summit 11-12 October, Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham
WNE Exhibition
28 – 30 November, Paris
Britain has reached a point where we need to remind ourselves of the distinction between short-term relief and long-term solutions. Energy prices have come off the boil from the destructive heights they reached last year, inflation is falling, and the energy price cap is expected to fall come October (it may have fallen by the time you read this).
With that comes the temptation to breathe a sigh of relief, say “it hasn’t been that bad”, and lose a sense of urgency. That would be a terrible mistake. While inflation is falling, it is higher than it was for a decade before the crisis hit. While energy bills may fall, they will still be about double what they were before the crisis began. Electricity prices have also come down, but they remain about 60% higher than they were before. Crucially, baseload reference prices for this summer are £207.07/MWh, about 300% higher than their pre-crisis levels.
Baseload prices remind us of the grim reality: Britain’s energy system still has serious structural weaknesses. We expect electricity demand to rise about 15% by the end of the decade, but we also expect our remaining coal plants to go offline and for 4 of 5 nuclear plants to retire as well. Clean energy deployment is still slowing, not accelerating. Planning and grid connectivity remain key blockers that have not yet been addressed. Our investment environment has certainly not caught up with incentives on offer in the United States and the European Union. In reality, we still have the same weak, gas-dependent energy system we had two years ago.
The test for our politicians is to distinguish short-term relief from long-term solutions. We have only had the former.
I am optimistic for two reasons. The first is the empowerment of Great British Nuclear. In my last column, I said we needed to have projects now. Nuclear reactor technologies are essential, but they are not the same as projects.
GBN has taken three big steps toward getting projects off the ground. In its tender document for SMR selection process, it said that “GBN intends to establish Project Development Company(s) (Project Devco), which will provide developer capabilities.” Projects need developers to secure planning consent, licensing, and permitting and much else besides. Without developers, there are no projects.
The tender document also said that “For the successful Technology Partners GBN will specify a site for each Technology Partner.” Again, without a site, there is no project, so this is a critical step
forward. It will allow the essential work of sitespecific reactor design, plant design, permitting, and environmental impact assessment to be done, which in turn should make projects more realistic and more investable.
Lastly, that little tender document gave a contract value of “up to £20 billion.” That was a sight to see! Of course, it does not mean the Government will spent £20 billion on SMRs or in fact that it is committed to spending anything at all, but it does indicate the Government are thinking seriously about taking equity shares in First-of-a-Kind SMR projects to get them off the ground. Such cornerstone stakes and the relatively cheap financing rates they would have can both provide certainty to potential private sector investors and help cut the cost of the electricity produced to the consumer.
Not only are those steps welcome in themselves, but I believe they have critical bi-partisan support, which nuclear projects in particular require. The Conservative Government has of course very publicly committed to Great British Nuclear. The whole concept of Great British Nuclear would also fit very neatly in the Labour Party’s idea for a “Great British Energy” company, publicly owned.
Great British Nuclear could easily be rolled into that as the nuclear part and indeed used as a model for how the company might work for other sectors. This conceptual alignment reassures me that the work that has been don so far will not be swept away in an election.
My second reason for optimism is that shortterm relief from the global gas markets does not create British jobs. Serious investment in our long-term energy security, on the other hand, does create British jobs and does create work for British companies. Building and then operating new nuclear power stations in particular creates some of the best jobs going. As an election looms perhaps just 12 months away, this will become a dominant consideration.
We will make the case to the political parties that we should be even more ambitious for the UK nuclear supply chain than we have been before. A programme of 24 GW of nuclear creates the prospect of an order book long enough and large enough to justify investments in new capabilities, expanding capacity, and additional workforce in the UK to let us do more nuclear. That way, we can make this a truly “made in Britain” nuclear renaissance.
Look out for us at Nuclear Week in Parliament, and at the party conferences, making just this argument. As always, get in touch at lincoln.hill@niauk.org!
