Industry Link - September 2017

MAGAZINE OF THE UK NUCLEAR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AUTUMN / 2017

NIAUK.ORG

WHAT WYLFA THEY FIND? 22

TRANSFORMATION AT SELLAFIELD 16 Are nuclear 8 apprenticeships back in fashion?

CAVENDISH NUCLEAR 8 ROLE MODELS

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On one level, we might simply drill a hole to analyse underground waste with our integrated microdrilling technology.

At the other extreme, we are developing state-of-the-art power systems to support deep space exploration.

Find out more about what we can do for you at www.nnl.co.uk or email customers@nnl.co.uk

Welcome to IndustryLink

Rupert Lewis rupert.lewis@niauk.org

Summer usually brings with it a good chunk of time off for large parts of industry but at NIA the notorious summer lull never really materialised, and in fact it never really does.

This year, minds have been focused on the key issue of Euratom and the government’s decision to withdraw from the Treaty, which has supported the UK industry for decades, as part of the wider Brexit process. It has created uncertainty for industry and the NIA has been working with, and will continue to work with industry and members to make sure it is resolved.

Deliberately this edition isn’t flooded with information on Euratom and more up to date information will be available on our website. Instead we are looking at the positives. There is an international focus, with the Department for International Trade launching the date for the Nuclear Showcase 2018 and information on the NIA’s newly established International Group.

Kepco detail the features of its APR1400 reactor design and we look at the transformation work taking place on the Sellafield site.

Sara Crane looks at the results of our latest annual public opinion polling and we also ask the question of apprenticeships coming back into fashion focusing in on Stainless Metalcraft’s programme.

Many of you will be reading this during party conference season and with the political situation particularly fluid, to be kind, who knows where we will be in the winter, but with the potential of a sector deal on the horizon let’s hope for more positive news.

IN VIEW

IN THIS ISSUE...

PREDICTING PAGE 20 OUR ENERGY FUTURE

FINANCING INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PAGE 10

PAGE 14

PAGE 19

DIT ANNOUNCE 2018 SHOWCASE

NIAUK.ORG Follow us: @NIAUK

Editor - Rupert Lewis Art Editor - Dan Powney Contributors - Tom Greatrex, Sara Crane, Peter Haslam, Jay Ferriday, Gareth Davies – Davies Nuclear Associates, with additional thanks to World Nuclear News

Nuclear Industry Association is a company limited by guarantee registered in England No. 2804518 Registered Office 5th Floor Tower House 10 Southampton Street London WC2E 7HA TEL +44(0)20 7766 6640 EMAIL info@niauk.org

Press Enquiries Sara.Crane@niauk.org TEL 07803 696 786 Advertisement Enquiries Rupert.Lewis@niauk.org 020 7766 6642

TEL

Membership Enquiries Stephanie.McKenna@niauk.org 020 7766 6651

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Cover image: Archaeological dig at the Wylfa Newydd site courtesy of Horizon Nuclear Power This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, using vegetable based inks.

Public support for nuclear BY. SARA CRANE

More people support nuclear as part of the low carbon energy mix

E

ach year the NIA commissions polling to gauge public opinion of the nuclear sector. This is an important barometer to help industry understand the reasons for support as well as opposition.

Following the format of previous years, the research undertaken by YouGov, asks a series of questions in an online survey, which is then weighted to be statistically representative to the UK. As nuclear receives increasing scrutiny in the media it is more than ever in the public consciousness and could have meant a dip in support.

However, almost three quarters (74%) of the 2,016 people polled agree nuclear must play a part in a low carbon energy mix, up slightly from the 72% who agreed with this statement in 2016, and endorsing the government’s continued support for nuclear power in the UK. Support for nuclear is highest among those aged 16-24 and 45 and older, and men (57%) who are more supportive of nuclear than women (23%). Men are also twice as likely to associate nuclear as low carbon than women.

Reasons for support are topped by ‘reliability of supply’ at 63%, and dealing with climate change at 42%. More than half (59%) of respondents cited ‘job creation and investment’ as a key advantage, showing people understand the economic importance of the sector to many regions across the UK. When comparing the nuclear sector to other energy sources, it is ranked highest for job creation and investment as well as keeping the lights on.

Nuclear waste from operations (77%) continues to be the main reason for opposition, however, just over half the people responding to the poll say they are not aware of government’s current arrangements to dispose of nuclear waste, and 67% say they are not aware of future plans.

The results of the poll show good support for nuclear, but industry cannot be complacent and needs to continue to engage with the public about the various benefits of the sector.

Members of the industry understand the economic positives of the industry, energy security benefits and its low carbon credentials, but the figures show many of the public don’t. And while nuclear energy isn’t the most pertinent issue for many, if not the majority of people, understanding how an essential commodity like electricity is generated is important.

It is also equally important for the industry to understand the public concerns of issues like how the UK’s nuclear waste is treated. As the government’s geological disposal facility plans move forward this subject will move further into the spotlight, and industry needs to be able to clearly explain the purpose and function of the facility.

Nuclear will no doubt remain a divisive issue in years to come but work is being carried out across the sector to help people understand the benefits of a technology which is so vital to the economy, energy security and climate change.

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Nuclear energy is seen as most secure for keeping the lights on

Men are more in favour of nuclear than women

Nuclear energy is ranked Most people are unaware of future plans for disposal highest for job creation and investment for waste

2017 | AUTUMN — 3

Nuclear sector deal BY. TOM GREATREX

“THE DEAL IS BEING SHAPED TO COVER THE BREADTH OF THE INDUSTRY WITH THE PURPOSE OF COMMITTING INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT TO A LONG TERM VISION THAT WILL ENSURE LOW CARBON NUCLEAR STAYS ON THE GRID, JOBS ARE CREATED AND SUSTAINED, AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UK CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THE INDUSTRY. ”

As the UK begins to think about life beyond the EU and to prevent over-reliance on any single source of economic activity, then identifying sectors with the potential to deliver prosperity at home and take UK expertise into the global marketplace has become an increasingly significant priority for the government.

The civil nuclear sector – with a foundation of long term, highly skilled, geographically diverse jobs and internationally recognised expertise capable of being exported – is now firmly at the forefront of the minds of key decision makers, and the government’s industrial strategy and sector deals presents a significant opportunity for industry.

At the start of 2017, the nuclear industry was identified as one of six key sectors to be considered for an early sector deal, with NIA Chairman Lord John Hutton leading that work through the Nuclear Industry Council (NIC).

The nature of any deal means it will have to be an agreement between industry and government with both working to promote and develop the industry, maximise economic and export opportunities and improve productivity.

It is not about securing a bottomless pit of financial support from central government. That is not viable and will not be forthcoming.

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Instead, if successful, the deal will be a two way partnership which will involve industry action and government intervention to deliver the significant change that will keep the UK nuclear renaissance on track.

The deal is being shaped to cover the breadth of the industry with the purpose of committing industry and government to a long term vision that will ensure low carbon nuclear stays on the grid, jobs are created and sustained, and communities across the UK continue to benefit from the industry.

The UK has a wealth of experience and expertise across all areas of the industry and the sector deal provides what could be a once in a generation chance to ensure that is not lost but nurtured and built on.

The NIA did a lot of initial work with the breadth of our membership, using online surveys and a series of events across the country to highlight the government’s Industrial Strategy proposals and understand the aspirations of our members for a nuclear sector deal.

These have been developed and prioritised with the help of the Nuclear AMRC, Nuclear Skills Strategy Group, Nuclear Innovation and Research Office and others, into a draft deal which has then been moulded by the NIC and formed the basis for early discussions with government.

MEDIA WATCH NEWS

As the government’s decision to withdraw from Euratom picked up media interest throughout July, NIA spelt out its view on the withdrawal position. NIA Chief Executive, Tom Greatrex said, “It remains the UK nuclear industry’s view that retaining Euratom membership will best serve the national interest. It may also be the most straightforward, seamless and sensible way to achieve the government’s stated preferred outcome, through the associated membership the Euratom treaty enables.”

Writing in the Daily Telegraph Tom explained, “We should be under no illusion that seeking to leave Euratom, negotiate NCAs, as well as replicate all of the practical, administrative and technical obligations on safeguarding will be immensely challenging… It’s time to rethink whether leaving Euratom is in our interests, or even necessary.”

Work is now underway to elaborate on specific proposals to form a final draft ahead of the next meeting of the NIC in October. After that meeting, and once the Nuclear Sector Deal is approved by industry, another meeting with the BEIS ministerial team will be held with the hope of starting the final approval process with government.

While the full details of the deal remain a work in progress, it includes areas such as the cost of nuclear new build and how government and industry can work together to reduce costs over time.

The need for continued and long term funding for the decommissioning programme, a process towards the UK becoming a reactor vendor, and what efforts can be made to improve the UK offer overseas.

Concluding discussions on a nuclear sector deal is certainly not a foregone conclusion, but if we are able to develop and agree proposals with government to help to enhance our industry and capitalise on the opportunities we see for the future, then the industry, the UK economy and communities in every part of the country will benefit.

Our industry has the opportunity to be cemented as part of the country’s economic, energy and industrial future – a prize well worth the work involved.

An edition of BBC Scotland Radio’s ‘Our Story’ focused on the people who lived around and worked in the Dounreay nuclear facility. The 30 minute piece focused on the birth of the facility right through to the decommissioning process ongoing today.

Earlier in the month, BBC Scotland’s website reported that a contractor is being sought to demolish the Dounreay Materials Test Reactor (DMTR) which first achieved criticality in 1958.

Bill Lambie, DMTR Project Manager, said “the removal of DMTR from the skyline will be a significant step for Dounreay, and will be a real and visible sign of the decommissioning progress being made.”

Following the publication of the National Grid’s, Future Energy Scenarios report, Tom Greatrex was quoted insisting nuclear will be an integral part of the UK future low carbon energy mix. Tom explained, “More than ever the UK needs to ensure it continues to have a secure, reliable and available supply of low carbon power to meet our changing requirements.

“While low carbon electricity generation reaching 45% demonstrates progress, there is much more to do to meet our climate commitments and maximise the economic opportunities for clean growth in the UK.” The NIA’s 2017 Nuclear Jobs Map, which shows there are more than 64,000 people working across industry, was picked up across a number of press outlets. Commenting on the Jobs Map, Tom Greatrex said, “New nuclear will create thousands of highskilled, well paid jobs in areas of the country where jobs are often hard to come by. The focus now must be on delivering the huge potential stored up in the planned new build programme and ensuring Hinkley is just the first of a succession of nuclear driven economic boosts for the country.”

2017 | AUTUMN — 5

Photo by Sapan Patel on Unsplash — https://unsplash.com/@sapanpatel123?photo=xnKJ1mJ9-_w

Both units at the South Texas Project nuclear power station continued to operate at full power throughout the devastating Hurricane Harvey. The South Texas Project Nuclear Operating company said the steel-reinforced containment building and flood protection measures ensured the reactors could continue operating safely.

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India awards contract for fast reactor fuel cycle facility India’s Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) has awarded Hindustan Construction Company a contract worth INR 7.64 billion (£94 million) to construct a fast reactor fuel cycle facility at Kalpakkam.

The contract covers construction of safety compliant structures for a fast breeder reactor fuel processing plant, plus associated civil, electrical and mechanical works with the project to be completed within 48 months.

IGCAR marks the second step towards India’s long-term goal of establishing a fuel cycle to exploit its abundant thorium resources.

2

Toshiba reports financial results and avoids delisting Toshiba Corp published its much-delayed financial reports avoiding delisting from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It posted a net loss of ¥965.7 billion (£6.8 billion) for the financial year ended 31 March, an improvement of ¥30 billion from a revised outlook provided in June, but

6 — AUTUMN | 2017

still more than double the loss of the previous year.

It could meet the reporting deadline as its auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers Aarata gave a “qualified opinion” on the financial statements, meaning it broadly endorsed the results.

Making the announcement Toshiba also said it has “dedicated itself” to eliminating risk related to the overseas nuclear power business, noting as part of the strategy, Westinghouse Electric Co., its US subsidiaries, and Toshiba Nuclear Energy Holdings (UK) Limited, had all filed for Chapter 11 proceedings under the US Bankruptcy Code.

These filings deconsolidated Westinghouse from Toshiba starting from the full-year business results from the 2016 financial year.

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First steam generator in place at Vogtle The first major lift at the site has been carried out since Southern Nuclear started overseeing activities with the placement of the first steam generator on the site. Two AP1000s are under construction with work continuing uninterrupted since Westinghouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2017.

Construction at Vogtle began in the same month as South Carolina Electric

& Gas’s (SCE&G) VC Summer unit 2.

Scana Corporation subsidiary SCE&G announced on 31 July it would abandon the Summer project, but has withdrawn its request for permission from state regulators to proceed with cancellation, pending governmental reviews.

4

Major components installed at final Barakah unit The fourth unit of the new Barakah power plant is over 52% complete following the installation of the final reactor vessel and steam generators.

Overall completion of the project has now passed 82% for the United Arab Emirates’ first nuclear power station.

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak said, “The installation of the final reactor vessel and steam generators, as per the 2009 Prime Contract, is a great achievement”.

He added that he was proud of the unwavering commitment and professionalism shown by the team of Emirati engineers, international experts and Korean partners.

Unit one is awaiting regulatory permission ahead of an expected 2018 start-up whilst Unit four is expected to go online in 2020, six years after construction commenced (see page 14).

For more details on these and other stories please visit www.world-nuclear-news.org

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In Memoriam: Stephen Tindale

The NIA was deeply saddened to hear about the tragic passing of Stephen Tindale in July. Tom Greatrex, looks back on his memories of Stephen.

When you get an email with somebody’s name as the subject it’s often a reminder of a call you haven’t returned or a meeting not sorted. When I got an email, with the subject of Stephen Tindale I thought I must give him a call; I’d not seen him for a few months and we had some ongoing work to discuss (and our usual chewing over of football, Labour politics and life in general).

As I read the email message about his untimely and unexpected passing in distressing circumstances, it put other things in perspective and left me full of regret at not having quite got around to giving him a call when I meant to a few weeks earlier.

I first knew Stephen when he was an adviser to the late Michael Meacher in John Prescott’s behemoth department of DELTR basically everything domestic outside the home office, treasury and trade - doing the E environment bit in the late 1990s.

For a brief period, I was his counterpart in the former Agriculture Ministry, and there were many areas where aspects of policy were split between the two. I remember particularly fraught discussions on bovine TB - and what to do about badgers that were the carriers. Stephen, a thoughtful, principled yet pragmatic policy thinker, helped me solve one of those ridiculous inter-departmental disputes that governments have for no seemingly good reason.

We both moved on to different worlds not all that long after, and our paths next crossed years later, after he had left Greenpeace, and when he and several other environmentalists had the courage and evidence-led honesty to change their view on nuclear power, recognising the important role played in minimising carbon emissions.

When I was an MP and shadow energy minister he was always a good source of thoughtful guidance and policy insight and refreshingly prepared to call out those who revel in the endless, circular, nonsensical technology v technology arguments.

He could never stand cant and lazy incoherent thinking, and though a mainstream Labour man with a strong green edge, he was saddened how organisations and individuals in prominent positions would adopt populist positions because it was good for a headline, no matter how damaging to the bigger picture on air quality and climate change.

I saw him quite a bit over the last year or two, talking energy, be that advanced nuclear or tidal lagoons, and it was refreshing to find somebody honest enough to say what many knew but would never vocalise - and energetically put the case for the importance of a balanced low carbon mix.

We often talked about Labour politics as more observers than participants. We talked about football a lot, and recently why watching Spurs at Wembley (in Europe) was so disappointing an experience and joking about a forthcoming season or two of every game being played away from home.

He was a lovely, brave, intelligent, courageous and thoughtful man who I was pleased to get to know and call a friend. Gone way to early, a result of a horrible and still little understood illness, and our thoughts with his family at this very sad time.

RIP Stephen - the things we both care about will miss your enterprising, intelligent and cogent advocacy. And your many friends will miss your loyalty, kindness and generous character.

2017 | AUTUMN — 7

Are nuclear apprenticeships back in fashion?

BY. RUPERT LEWIS

Time will tell whether it’s the cost or attractiveness of a University education, but this year thousands of courses still had vacancies ahead of A-Level results day and applications to go to University were down 4% on the previous year.

Another reason may be the change of attitude towards apprenticeships and the greater interest amongst young people in earning and learning, rather than building debt up at University.

One company in the nuclear sector, that has always taken the apprenticeship route is Stainless Metalcraft.

The company, which is part of Avingtrans PLC’s Energy & Medical divison and manufactures components for the energy, nuclear and medical technology sectors, was was named in the Top 100 Apprentice Employers

8 — AUTUMN | 2017

in the UK in a list produced by the National Apprenticeship Service earlier this year and it is easy to see why.

Almost 50% of its current employees were trained through an apprenticeship with 90% of them taking up permanent roles after completing their training.

Austen Adams, Manging Director of Stainless Metalcraft, describes the company’s apprentices as “an essential driver of the business”.

As a result, Austen explained, in the year the company celebrated the 100th anniversary of its apprenticeship scheme, he has committed Stainless Metalcraft to “recruiting up to 10 new apprentices every year until at least 2020,” as well as “working to diversity our intake and encourage more women into the industry.”

For many in the recent past, an apprenticeship was seen as a lesser route into the workplace, but Stainless Metalcraft and many other nuclear companies are changing attitudes with the variety of opportunities available to young people.

Stainless Metalcraft’s Commercial Director, Martin Lawrence, explained, “The joy of our apprenticeship scheme is that apprentices go on to pursue a wide variety of pathways once they’ve completed their initial training.

“They could be welders, fabricators or machinists, or go into production, sales or design engineering, depending on business needs.”

The dedication to the apprenticeship scheme and what individuals can achieve going down this route is obvious when

talking to Martin, “myself, our Manging Director, our Business Conformance Director, Sales Manager and Projects Production Manager all began our careers as apprentices – either here or elsewhere in the industry – so we can genuinely say that no role is off limits.”

Even those that have formally retired have come back to help support the continued success of the scheme.

David Abbs, who completed his welding apprenticeship in the 1960s now commits two days a week to help support the company’s long-established apprenticeship scheme.

A practical example of how the company is working to bridge the skills gap in the industry, Austen has praised his work; “With seasoned professionals like David on board, we can provide a rich and varieds learning experience, improving our apprenticeship programme.”

David is now taking a hands-on role at Metalcraft’s Fenland Engineering Skills Centre, working with students aged 16–19 to help with their welding and cavitation techniques.

In a programme that has been going for more than 100 years it will also be

no surprise to learn one recent recruit, Bradley Mead, is following in his father’s footsteps starting his apprenticeship almost three decades later.

oung apprentices in 1916. Stainless Metalcraft Y has been running an apprenticeship scheme for over 100 years.

Bradley is working to become a CNC machinist and said, “I wanted an opportunity in engineering or manufacturing and I knew I wanted to do something with my hands.

“I knew an apprenticeship would give me an income on top of learning

and my dad told me from his own experience how it would teach me the right way of doing things.”

Stainless Metalcraft’s dedication to its apprenticeship scheme is obvious, although it is not alone in the nuclear sector. Many other companies across the industry are working to bridge its skills gap and build up its workforce with young apprentices.

The UK nuclear industry is in its brightest era for decades and, with peak demand for workers in 2021 forecast at 100,619 by the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group’s (NSSG’s), Nuclear Workforce Assessment, the time to join the industry as an apprentice is now. Not just for the employee but also for the employer.

Figures released by the NSSG show apprentice programmes cut recruitment costs by 75% and 89% of apprentice employers say they make their businesses more productive.

Further studies and next year’s A-level results will determine whether apprenticeships are back in fashion and, if they are, some part of that will be because of Stainless Metalcraft and other apprenticeship employers across the nuclear industry.

2017 | AUTUMN — 9

FINANCING YOUR INTERNATIONAL GROWTH 10 — AUTUMN | 2017

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here’s a world of opportunities out there for the UK’s world-leading nuclear businesses, and a growing number are realising them with support from UK Export Finance (UKEF).

UKEF is the UK’s export credit agency, which exists to ensure no viable export fails for lack of finance or insurance. It helps UK companies: →→ win export contracts by providing attractive financing terms

to their buyers →→ fulfil contracts by supporting working capital loans and

contract bonds

→→ get paid by insuring against buyer default

In the last financial year alone, UKEF helped 221 exporters grow by meeting the increasing global demand for UK products and services, 80% of whom were SMEs. Over the last five years, UKEF has provided £14 billion worth of support and a wealth of free, impartial guidance around eligibility for specialist trade finance.

CASE STUDY: BOOSTING OVERSEAS SALES JDR Cables, based in Littleport in Cambridgeshire, is a global leader in the renewables market and a world-class manufacturer of subsea power cables and production umbilicals.

Many of its contracts last for several years, and it frequently bids against large international industrials. A standard feature of these sorts of contracts is the contract bond – a warranty required by the buyer that the contractor will fulfil its side of the contract, and if not that it will refund any payments. These bonds are issued by the contractor’s bank, usually in return for a deposit from the contractor.

With this requirement, a company with multiple export contracts on the go can find itself tying up significant amounts of cash in order to provide the bonds. For a large multinational company, this might be possible, but for a smaller player like JDR, tying up working capital significantly restricts its ability to take on business.

This is why JDR works with UKEF. With a UKEF governmentbacked guarantee of up to 80% of the value of the bond, banks can issue contract bonds without the need to tie up significant amounts of the company’s working capital, meaning JDR can invest in fulfilling its contracts and growing its business.

CASE STUDY: SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES Fife-based BurntIsland Fabrications Ltd, or BiFab, is a market-leading Scottish manufacturer of steel fabrications for the oil, gas and renewably energy sectors. While already established in the oil and gas sector, the firm wanted to diversify and strengthen its export business in the rapidly developing offshore wind sector.

UKEF helped BiFab achieve this when it won a major contract with Dutch EPC contractor SHL to supply fabrication work for the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm. While the contract in excess of £100 million was substantial, the terms required performance and warranty bonds from BiFab’s bank. Due to the size of the contract, the bond requirements were significant, and the bank required additional security to issue the bonds.

After working closely with BiFab, UKEF was able to provide its bank with a UK government-backed guarantee, enabling it to issue the bonds to the overseas buyer and allowing BiFab to retain cash in order to fulfil the contract.

FULL RANGE OF SUPPORT The right export support can make the difference between an export success and failure. Working as an integral part of the support on offer from the Department for International Trade, UKEF can support exports for any size of company, across all sectors. UKEF’s support complements rather than competes with the private sector – it works with 70 private credit insurers and lenders to deliver support.

UKEF’s network of export finance managers, based across the UK, provides face-to-face support for businesses looking to compete for business abroad.

Regardless of size or sector, UKEF can help your business export to over 200 markets. Why not get in touch and realise the world of opportunity awaiting you?

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/uk-export-finance or email customer.service@ukexportfinance.gov.uk.

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About the APR1400 reactor The APR1400, the Advanced Power Reactor with 1,400 MW electrical power capacity, is a pressurised water reactor developed in Korea.

REACTOR TYPE

PWR (Pressurized Light Water Reactor)

CAPACITY

1,400MWe class (4,000MWth)

PLANT DESIGN LIFE

60 years

SEISMIC DESIGN BASIS

SSE 0.3g

SAFETY

Core Damage Frequency

<10-5/Ry

Containment Structural Integrity

<10-6/Ry

12 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AUTUMN | 2017

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he first operational plant using the technology, the Shin-Kori 3 in Korea achieved first criticality on 29 December 2016 and was connected to the grid on 15 January 2017.

Nine more APR1400s are under construction - five in Korea and four in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE APR1400 project, scheduled to be in operation by 2020, is the only Generation III project which is being constructed on time and on budget.

After launching the first Korean nuclear power plant, Kori unit 1, in 1978, Korea has been continuously constructing nuclear power plants, and as a result, 24 units are currently in operation across the country.

Through ceaseless efforts in various levels including a strong NPP localization plan, the Korean nuclear industry achieved technology self-reliance.

Furthermore, in the decade following 1992, the APR1400 was developed as part of the national long-term R&D programme to improve safety and enhance the economic efficiency of Korean nuclear power plants. The standard design of the APR1400 was approved by the Korean regulatory authority in 2002.

Design Characteristics of APR1400 The APR1400 provides enhanced safety features, uses proven technologies and the design is adaptable to each country in which it is supplied.

To achieve a significantly enhanced level of safety, the design goal and requirements for the APR1400 were established based on the Korean Utility Requirement Document, which considers the expectations of utilities for Advanced Light Water Reactors as stated in the Utility Requirements Document issued by the US Electric Power Research Institute.

The design complies with applicable regulations of Korea, those of the Code of Federal Regulations and Regulatory Guides of the US and IAEA requirements for safety, fulfilling the objectives of protecting the public and assuring personnel safety. It also includes features to address the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Severe Accident and Safety Policy Statements which have been incorporated in the APR1400 design.

At present, the APR1400 is undergoing one of the most stringent power plant

safety certification assessments, by the NRC in the US and the European Utility Requirements (EUR) process.

NRC Design Certification is expected within 2018, which would make KEPCO’s APR1400 the third Generation III reactor technology to be certified by the US regulator. The design certification from EUR is expected to be issued by the end of 2017.

Economic Efficiency of APR1400 The APR1400 is economical with substantial cost savings compared to currently operating nuclear power plants.

The reactor offers a 60-year long service life, enhanced fuel utilization, plant availability greater than 90% obtained through a longer fuel cycle, and a significantly reduced unplanned reactor trip, which have all contributed to improving plant economics.

The economies of scale, design improvements and advanced construction methods already proven in projects of Korea and the UAE make the APR1400 economically attractive.

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IN VIEW

BNPP Unit 2 completes Cold Hydrostatic Testing

Barakah nuclear power plant courtesy of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; www.enec.gov.ae

Cold Hydrostatic Testing has been completed at Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in June 2017, verifying that the welds, joints, pipes and components of the reactor coolant system and associated high-pressure systems are in line with UAE regulations.

Inspection teams from Korea Electric Power Corporation, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) Joint Venture and Prime Contractor of BNPP Project, and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, along with ENEC, Nawah Energy Company, and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power performed detailed system inspections, and verification that all components and piping systems functioned as originally designed.

Four units of the APR1400 are under construction at Barakah in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with Unit 1 having completed initial construction activities in May 2017 and scheduled for commercial operation in 2018.

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S

ellafield is the UK’s most complex nuclear site. Every day it faces challenges, and draws upon its technical expertise and nuclear capabilities to address the legacy of the site’s history.

It remains a cornerstone in UK nuclear energy policy, with a part to play in improving skills and lifetime costs for the nuclear industry. Its performance in integrated waste management, disposal, asset management and project delivery are all factors in building confidence in the nuclear industry as a whole.

Since April 2016 Sellafield Ltd has been a whollyowned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on behalf of the UK government.

Sellafield Ltd has made a commitment to reduce mission spend by at least £1.4 billion by 2029 through cost efficiency and productivity gain. In fact, it aims to do this by 2020, and is targeting a further £1.4 billion savings by 2029 as it demonstrates progressively the value of its return to government ownership. It will create the capability to f lex by +/- £100 million in any financial year, also by 2020, to accommodate potential funding changes.

It has set the direction for its future and defined the organisation it wants to be in 10 years’ time – how it operates internally, its size and shape, and how it maximises wider opportunities to achieve the characteristics of a high-performing company.

Its transformation plan sets out how it will achieve that future state and is a company-wide portfolio of changes. At the same time it wants to enhance its social impact by helping to create the right conditions in which the supply chain can diversify and, in turn, revitalise economies.

To transform, it is doing two things: transforming the way it delivers its mission, and looking at transformative opportunities in the future. Its approach is based on a series of overlapping phases, to create structure and logical decision points. As it looks further out, it has less detail and certainty but this phased approach provides a framework in which to develop.

High hazard removed sooner

Improved performance

S

ld afie l l e S

Smaller Sellafield

Phases and benefits

Ltd

PREPARE

SIMPLIFY

April 2016 - September 2017

2016 - 2020

This phase is about getting ready for transformation. Sellafield has already:

This phase is about making a step-change in the way it works, and building the foundations it will need for significant and sustainable transformation. It will:

→→ Set its future direction, defining its strategy and the

→→ →→ →→ →→ →→ →→ →→

characteristics that describe its target future

→→ Created a new structure to operate as a whole enterprise,

rather than as a raft of programmes and projects: a Corporate Centre taking a central overview, supported by a Delivery Agenda and a Transformation Agenda

→→ Clarified and established the scope and responsibilities for both the Delivery Agenda and the Transformation Agenda

→→ Specified its proposition for working with major partners →→ Begun development of a new framework of success criteria and metrics, to improve its performance management arrangements with the NDA

16 — AUTUMN | 2017

Align its organisation around value streams Simplify its processes and clarify its priorities Conclude reprocessing and manage the impacts Embed a value-led, high-performance culture Create the business environment it needs for success Design new architecture for managing as an enterprise Engage partners

te

ld si

fie ell a

Transformation at Sellafield: What it believes it can achieve Reskilling and redeployment

Increased resilience for our communities

Demonstrator of nuclear capability

B ey

o

el l nd S

ld

afie

m Com

unit

ies

Value for money

Diversified supply chain

S

ly upp

cha

in ern G ov

men

t

BUILD

OPPORTUNITY

2019 - 2025

2021+

This phase is about establishing new ways of working, exploring potential opportunities and developing a highperformance culture. It will:

This phase is about identifying and realising possible new opportunities that enhance performance and prospects for Sellafield Ltd and its partners and communities. It does not yet have a detailed view of its priorities this far ahead.

→→ Build capabilities and increase flexibility through new partnerships with the supply chain

→→ Implement the new information systems it needs to develop a learning culture

→→ Build stakeholder confidence in its ability to deliver its long-term strategy

→→ Develop new and potential opportunities

2017 | AUTUMN — 17

M

ore than 300 people from across the civil nuclear sector attended NIA’s Nuclear New Build 2017 (NNB17) event in June earlier this year.

Held across two days at London’s iconic County Hall, the event hosted a wide range of speakers covering domestic and international nuclear new build projects.

Hosted by Mary Nightingale, delegates heard updates on the activity at Hinkley Point C, NuGen’s strategic review, and how Horizon Nuclear Power is building an organisation to build and run its project at Wylfa Newydd, as well as from Zhu Minhong who updated on CGN’s plans at Bradwell B. Jong-hyuck Park, Kepco’s Chief Nuclear Officer gave an overview of the AP1400 technology and set out the company’s global nuclear ambitions, while Westinghouse LLP discussed how they plan to emerge from Chapter 11.

The new Energy Minister, Richard Harrington MP set out the government’s commitment to new nuclear and said this administration “recognises the potential of small modular reactors but we need to make sure the technology and business model works.”

For a flavour of the conference, watch the highlights video at www.niauk.org/ media-centre/videos. Thank you again to Nuclear CC as the events Platinum Sponsor, NuGen, Welsh Government, Nuvia and Fluor/NuScale Power for sponsoring and to all the exhibitors, speakers and delegates.

A special thank you must also go to the NNB17 Organising Committee: Terry Gilbert, Nigel Knee, Fiona Reilly, Alistair Smith, James Locke, Adrian Bull, John McNamara and Bob Bish for their support in developing the event.

18 — AUTUMN | 2017

Department for International Trade announces Civil Nuclear Showcase 2018

“OUR WORK MAKES AN ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE TO THE COMPANIES WE SUPPORT AND HELPS THEM TO STAND OUT AGAINST THEIR COMPETITORS” THE RT HON GREG HANDS MP MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT

The Department for International Trade has confirmed the date for the next Civil Nuclear Showcase, the UK’s leading international networking event for the sector, will be held between 27-28 February 2018 at the Hilton London Bankside.

The programme will feature high profile speakers from across the nuclear lifecycle, and promote export and investment opportunities relating to markets including China, Central & Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

The event this year supported multiple international agreements, including Ultra Electronics and China General Nuclear signing a memorandum

of understanding to enhance their co-operation in the development of high integrity instrumentation and control systems for nuclear plants worldwide.

Businesses across the sector are invited to register their early interest in attending next year’s event by contacting the email address below.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) works to secure UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade.

The Department’s Civil Nuclear team works closely with the Nuclear Industry Association and the rest of the sector to drive UK exports and attract targeted foreign direct investment across the nuclear life cycle.

International Trade Minister, Greg Hands said, “Our UK and overseas staff work tirelessly to boost the chances of contracts being won by matching UK goods and services to international opportunities, facilitating governmentto-government dialogue, and providing operational support such as events and missions.

“I know from attending the event last year that our work makes an enormous difference to the companies we support and helps them to stand out against their competitors, supporting their business growth.”

Discover how DIT can help to support your business, contact nuclear.enquiry@trade.gsi.gov.uk

2017 | AUTUMN — 19

SNAPSHOT

Predicting our energy future BY. RUPERT LEWIS

The latest Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) show nuclear produced 21% of the UK’s electricity in 2016 and low carbon power reached 45% as a whole but what about the future?

Predicting anything in today’s political climate may be a fool’s game, but National Grid’s latest Future Energy Scenarios report gives a detailed summary of what a future UK energy mix could look like.

For nuclear the findings are extremely positive. It features prominently in the ‘Two Degrees’ scenario, which will meet govern ment’s 2050 carbon reduction targets, but National Grid also notes, “New nuclear build is required in all scenarios”.

Despite this positive outlook, the report also predicts there will be a gap, “between old plants being decommissioned and new nuclear stations beginning to generate.”

The challenges to building nuclear plants are highlighted as the slow pace

and scale of the projects. It states, “Financing for these large projects and political support can be assumed in a high prosperity” but “While this trajectory is plausible [in the Two Degrees scenario], a number of factors need to align for this amount of new nuclear build to progress”.

Looking further into the future, National Grid explain if Generation IV reactors come online, which according to the report are “considerably safer and more efficient” then it “could lead to much greater growth of nuclear power.”

Although there isn’t any detail, the report estimates small modular reactor technology could come online after 2040.

The report also touches on nuclear fusion but while the potential impact of a breakthrough would be enormous, the likelihood of the technology being commercially viable in 20+ years is determined as unlikely.

With the report concluding that electricity demand could be as high as 85GW in 2050 compared to 60GW today, and if the government is determined to meet it carbon emission reduction targets, nuclear will no doubt play a role long into the future.

The DUKES figures highlight the importance of nuclear, especially as coal capacity falls off the grid. Without coal, and potentially without gas in the future, nuclear produces the always on, baseload electricity which is required to keep the lights on.

In 2016, nuclear produced electricity 77% of the time, but in comparison, the overall wind load factor was 29%, and the load factor for solar was 11%.

Predicting the future, may be setting yourself up for failure, but if nuclear projects can continue to be financed, they will be built because the grid needs them.

Energy production by fuel type, 2017 Digest of UK Energy Statistics, BEIS

20 — AUTUMN | 2017

Sarah (left) and Chloe (right) are part of a nationwide campaign, inspiring careers in STEM.

Cavendish Nuclear Role Models Two young apprentices at Cavendish Nuclear have become role models in a nationwide campaign to encourage more teenage girls to think about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Chloe Branston, an advanced CAD apprentice at Leicester, and Sarah Dockeray, a scientific apprentice in Cumbria, are featured in a new teaching pack being distributed to schools.

‘People Like Me’ has been produced by WISE, the campaign for gender balance in science, technology and engineering in the UK, and aims to improve the low entry rate to STEM apprenticeships among girls.

The resource pack for teachers is part of a campaign targeting 200,000 teenagers in a bid to improve the gender balance in tomorrow’s workforce. Chloe and Sarah feature on the cover of the packs and are profiled inside.

Women make up 55% of all apprenticeships in the UK – but just 5.5% of those in STEM subjects. WISE wants to change that by getting teachers to stimulate new ways of thinking among girls about their career choices Chloe – recently named 7th in the UK’s top 50 women in engineering under the age of 35 – originally wanted to be a midwife and started training in health and social care. But she changed careers after realising how much she missed maths and physics and applied for an apprenticeship at Cavendish Nuclear.

“It feels very, very good to be thought of as a role model,” said Chloe, who’s about to enter her fourth and final year as an apprentice.

“Cavendish Nuclear is very active in promoting STEM in schools in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire where I’m from. The response so far has been amazing. Hopefully, this will encourage more girls.”

Sarah from Whitehaven, Cumbria has always been fascinated by science – as a child, she wanted to be an astronaut.

Now, after turning down a place at University studying journalism in 2014 to pursue a scientific career with Cavendish Nuclear instead, she spends her time training in the company’s environmental labs at Greeson Court at Westlakes Science Park.

Sarah takes part in STEM visits to local schools with another female scientist and ex-apprentice Charlotte Vernon.

“The kids don’t expect two women to turn up and talk about science,” says Sarah. “It’s all about changing perceptions and expectations, and I’ll be really pleased if in some way my part in the WISE initiative achieves that.”

For more information about People Like Me: Pathways to Apprenticeships, visit: www.wisecampaign.org.uk/ about-us/wise-projects/people-like-me

2017 | AUTUMN — 21

What Wylfa They Find?

BY. JAY FERRIDAY

22 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AUTUMN | 2017

The Twittersphere BY. RUPERT LEWIS

This summer, Horizon Nuclear Power invited volunteers to brush up on their archaeological skills at its Wylfa Newydd site in Anglesey.

Community digs ran throughout August, with Horizon providing professional guidance and all the necessary equipment.

Horizon is undertaking a comprehensive archaeological investigation, and the inclusion of local volunteers from across North Wales marks the beginning of an exciting second phase of archaeological discovery.

Phase one of the site-wide archaeological evaluations were completed last May with the help of 10 North Wales businesses and produced remains spanning a number of millennia.

Now, a team made up of Horizon specialists and amateur archaeologists from the community will work together to uncover and log any findings as soil is removed from key investigation areas.

Richard Foxhall, Stakeholder Relations Manager at Horizon, said: “We need to conduct more of these archaeological studies and want to offer local people the chance to help us dig, ensuring we have a complete record of the history of our corner of North Wales.”

This careful process of discovering and recording artefacts will help to give a better understanding of findings from the previous works, hopefully revealing a little more about what life in Anglesey was like.

Ancient monuments are not uncommon in Anglesey and it is home to around 30 Neolithic and Bronze age burial chambers as well as many ancient settlements and standing stones.

There are approximately 120 monuments on the island with the majority located close to the island’s shores and the earliest signs of life discovered are around 8,000 years old.

Finds at the Wylfa Newydd site during phase one have largely been from the Neolithic and Bronze ages which dates them somewhere in the region of 6000 – 250 BC. Over 1,200 evaluation trenches have been excavated across a 150-hectare site by a team including up to 50 archaeologists.

Later this year, Horizon will also organise a series of talks to inform the community about the investigation programme and to discuss the findings. In addition to the public talks, members of the Horizon team will visit local school to talk to young islanders about the project.

In this column before I’ve questioned the merit of using Twitter and how to use it for a complex subject Such as those of the civil nuclear industry. For instance, how can you possibly explain how a nuclear reactor works, the government’s current energy policy or the economic benefits of the new build programme in 140 characters?

Arguing amongst myself (sad I know!), I have come to the conclusion that Twitter is one of the best communications tools in the world, even for the nuclear sector. By using images, infographics or links to more sensible information, just one tweet can make an impression on thousands of people in a matter of seconds.

The true power of Twitter became apparent at the start of the summer when Euratom became one of the central Brexit issues for a fortnight and now remains a go to issue when the complexity of the withdrawal negotiations are mentioned.

For a long time the NIA has been aware of the difficulty created by the government’s decision to withdraw from the Euratom Treaty. Way back in May we published a paper outlining the various resolutions to the self-inflicted problems created by withdrawal. But, months later and after a few clever headlines, Euratom was thrust firmly into the crowded Who to follow?

Want information on nuclear media spotlight. and other relevant topics?

Professor Brian Cox This issue we recommend tweeted his condemnation of the decision to leave Euratom you follow: and even Gary Lineker weighed into the debate @ProfBrianCox questioning the decision. @TomChivers While it was helpful in the @Jenifer_Baxter sense it maintained media focus and highlighted a key issue for the future success of the nuclear industry, it meant a complex issue moved into the mainstream and instead it became a simple stick for many to beat the government with.

Though the NIA still disagrees with the absolute decision taken to leave Euratom, the drive to ask Ministers to reassess their position was never a way to stop the Brexit process or way to bring down, what was at the time, an unsteady government.

While Twitter is a great tool, and I maintain it should be an important part of any company’s communications plans, you might always remember that it is impossible to completely own or control an issue on the format.

Twitter Count Followers: 5,033 Tweets: 7,186

@NIAUK

@ProfBrianCox Here is the expert reaction to the governments hasty paper on Euratom. It begins “While containing very little detail ...”.

2017 | AUTUMN — 23

NEWS IN BRIEF

Amec Foster Wheeler secures major contracts Amec Foster Wheeler and Interserve joint venture secures Sellafield framework contract and Amec Foster Wheeler wins LLRW contract OneAIM, a joint venture between Amec Foster Wheeler and Interserve, has won a key framework contract to support reprocessing plants and facilities at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria.

Worth up to £160 million over four years, the framework covers engineering support services for asset care and maintenance.

“The combination of Amec Foster Wheeler and Interserve creates a highly capable vehicle that will work to bring international best practice and value-driven solutions to the Sellafield mission,” said Clive White, President of Amec Foster Wheeler Clean Energy.

Guy Bruce, Managing Director – infrastructure and industrial, at Interserve,

continues: “Our team of experts carry out their day-to-day responsibilities with the level of precision and care required at a reprocessing plant, using their skills and knowledge to manage customer projects in a safe and efficient way.”

Each of the OneAIM partners has extensive experience in the nuclear sector. OneAIM is looking to produce greater cost-efficiencies for Sellafield Limited, the company responsible for reprocessing, decommissioning and nuclear waste management.

Amec Foster Wheeler has also been awarded two framework contracts from LLW Repository Ltd, in Cumbria.

“The award of these frameworks

reflects the high value placed on the technical expertise of our people, said Andy White, Vice President for Decommissioning at Amec Foster Wheeler’s Clean Energy business.

“These wins advance Amec Foster Wheeler’s strategy to expand our share of work on radiological and waste management programmes in Europe.”

The contracts will provide hydrogeological and geological support, general technical support, as well as analytical support services and environmental monitoring support from its full-service analytical laboratories. Combined the contracts will be worth around £4 million over the next four years.

Sellafield Thorp plant - Courtesy of Sellafield Limited (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/sellafield-ltd)

24 — AUTUMN | 2017

Carr’s Group acquires NuVision Engineering, Inc. Carlisle business Carr’s Group plc, has acquired 100% of ESI Holding Company, Inc., the holding company of US-based engineering company NuVision Engineering, Inc, as part of its focus on growth within its engineering division.

“I am delighted to announce the acquisition of NuVision Engineering, Inc, said Tim Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Carr’s Group. “This acquisition lays the foundations for growth into the USA and wider international nuclear markets and provides us with access to specialised IP and a strong pipeline of long term contract opportunities.”

The group said the acquisition will also extend the Group’s service capability in the nuclear market due to the complementary nature of NuVision’s product range. Tim Davies added: “This presents a significant opportunity for us to expand our existing remote handling operations into the USA market.”

Founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1971, NuVision is a leading technology and applications engineering company focussed on providing value in commercial nuclear and power plant facilities, government waste remediation facilities and waste clean-up.

Dounreay’s oldest reactor to be demolished

UK and Czech firms sign agreement

TSP Engineering and Czech company Vitkovice have signed an agreement to co-operate on Heat Exchange Technology.

The agreement, targeted at TSP Engineering widening its scope in the nuclear, and oil and gas sectors, will see the potential for heat exchangers to be assembled and tested in its Workington Facility.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the business and all our employees, said John Coughlan, Director and Chief Operating Officer of TSP Engineering. “It offers us the opportunity to engage in new market segments which can provide security of employment for our employees and the opportunity to offer further advanced training to young people from the region.”

The agreement was signed in Prague by John Coughlan and Jiri Broz of Vitkovice. At the signing event was the Rt. Hon. Greg Hands MP, Minister for Trade and Investment and Eva Usai Blumental, Board member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Czech Republic.

The Vitkovice brand is 189 years old and has operated in the nuclear sector since the second half of the 1960s while TSP Engineering, recently established as an independent wholly owned subsidiary of British Steel, has been involved in the nuclear industry since the 1950s, previously having been part of Corus and then TATA before now becoming a standalone business employing 220 people in Cumbria.

Dounreay Materials Test Reactor - Courtesy of Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (https://dounreay.com)

C

ompanies are being invited to bid for a contract to demolish the iconic Dounreay Materials Test Reactor (DMTR) which became Scotland’s first operational reactor in 1958.

A contract notice will appear in the Official Journal of the European Union for the project estimated to be worth around £7 million over three years. A contractor is expected to be appointed in the first half of 2018.

Bill Lambie, Project Manager, said the first criticality in Scotland was “a historic moment because it put Dounreay on the map as the UK’s centre of fast reactor research, and encouraged the local population to acquire scientific skills and abilities that have been associated with the area ever since.

“The removal of DMTR from the skyline will be a significant step for Dounreay, and will be a real and visible sign of the decommissioning progress being made,” he continued.

August marked the 60th anniversary of the first criticality achieved in Scotland, which took place in a temporary test rig.

Fuel was removed soon after it shut down in 1969 and many of the surrounding facilities, including cooling towers, emergency control room and pipework have since been cleared out and demolished.

2017 | AUTUMN — 25

Thursday 7 December etc.venues at County Hall, London nuclear2017.co.uk The Nuclear Industry Association’s annual conference, Nuclear 2017, will take place at London’s County Hall on 7 December 2017 with more than 300 people from across the industry expected to attend.

Now in its 17th year, the event will follow the successful format of previous years, bringing together speakers from across all parts of the industry and government to update delegates.

With nuclear high up on the industrial and political agenda, Nuclear 2017 will be another exciting event and the place to hear about the latest developments in the sector.

High profile speakers from NuGeneration, Horizon Nuclear Power

and EDF Energy are expected to present on the UK’s budding new build programme. Decommissioning will also take the spotlight, with speakers from Sellafield Limited and Radioactive Waste Management Ltd invited.

Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are now available and this year, the preconference reception will also take place at County Hall, to allow delegates and exhibitors more time to network.

Register at www.nuclear2017.co.uk and view the latest confirmed speakers, agenda, sponsors and exhibitors. Contact veronica. lekavicius@niauk.org or call 020 7766 6648 for more information.

Hosted by Clemency Burton-Hill Journalist

NIA International Group – the importance of partnerships and collaboration

I

mplications of Brexit are far reaching and less than certain, particularly so for UK nuclear, a sector and market typified by global competition and collaboration.

The government has identified nuclear as a key sector for the UK in developing international trading opportunities in the post Brexit world and it is against this background that the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) relaunched its Business Group – the International Group – in May this year.

Its International Group is building on the work started by the Nuclear Exports Group, but rather than focussing purely on exports, it is also looking at inward investment opportunities.

The Group’s key function is to facilitate international commercial activity and unlock opportunities for NIA members, whether domestic or global, with overseas partners, or through global expansion.

The Group aims to provide a platform to learn about opportunities, network and hear directly from organisations with experience or opportunities.

NIA is delighted the Group will be supported by the Department for International Trade (DIT), which brings a wealth of practical knowledge and experience as well as vital information and links for accessing numerous

overseas markets through events, trade missions and other activities.

Senior DIT staff Paul McCaffrey and Bob Bish, sit on the Group’s steering committee along with the NIA’s Peter Haslam and Stephanie McKenna, Chris White from Urenco, and myself as Chair of the Group.

An inaugural International Group meeting was held at Burges Salmon’s London offices in May which attracted over 60 attendees. The next meeting is scheduled for early October in NuGen’s Manchester offices, and offers an excellent line-up including speakers from EDF Energy, NuGen, CGN, Cavendish, Aecom and Burges Salmon. In addition there will be country-specific reports delivered by DIT. On the evening before the October meeting there will be a pay-your-own-way dinner in Manchester, providing a good opportunity to catch up with existing contacts and make new ones.

Having a broad ‘international’ theme enables the Group to look across the breadth of the sector – whether in new build, decommissioning, generation, SMRs, fusion or research and development contexts.

As with all Business Groups it is free and open to all NIA members to attend.

Current plans suggest the Group will

meet three times a year at locations across the North, South and South West. It will also work alongside DIT to promote the Civil Nuclear Showcase being held 27–28 February 2018. The day before the Showcase the Group will hold an event in London, hosted by Nuclear Risk Insurers Limited, followed by a networking drinks reception.

Between Group meetings plans are being developed to hold other smaller events around specific opportunities and also networking events.

If you would like to sponsor, host or participate in a future International Group meeting, or would be interested in hearing about a specific matter or company, then please do not hesitate to contact stephanie.mckenna@niauk.org or call 020 7766 6651. You can also contact me directly on 07764 197732 or via gareth.davies@niauk.org.

GARETH DAVIES Chair, International Group

2017 | AUTUMN — 27

NEW NIA MEMBERS

NOT A MEMBER? To find out about the work of NIA and benefits of membership visit www.niauk.org/about-us/ membership-benefits.

You will find more information on our business group meetings, monthly updates and our exclusive online trade directory.

To discuss membership options available to your company please call +44 (0)20 7766 6651 or email stephanie.mckenna@niauk.org

Arexis Consulting Europe Ltd arexisgroup.com

McCarthy Environmental mccarthy-environmental.co.uk

Located both in Europe and America, Arexis Group is a team of highly skilled and dedicated UK, French and Canadian engineers, specialising in engineering consulting services, with expertise covering fundamental aspects of nuclear safety.

It provides critical support, including training, to nuclear equipment developers, manufacturers and suppliers with a range of services designed to qualify equipment, parts and components for many applications. Its services are based on recognised technical standards such as IEEE, IEC and RCC-E as well as ASME QME-1 and CSA, and uses a management quality system that conforms to ISO 9001 and NQA-1.

With over 20 years of experience, McCarthy Environmental Ltd is a nationwide specialist provider of air pollution control solutions to industry, education and commercial workplaces.

Specialising in the development of bespoke solutions, it works in partnership with clients to supply reliable, easy to use and cost effective fume extraction and filtration systems that adhere to and exceed health and safety legislation.

McCarthy’s quality range of products and expert bespoke manufacturing capability means it can offer a complete, cost-effective turnkey solution for all dust and fume extraction requirements.

Atlantic SuperConnection LLP atlanticsuperconnection.com

WYG wyg.com

Atlantic SuperConnection LLP is an energy development company aiming to provide large scale, low cost, reliable, low carbon energy to the UK. As well as delivering commerce, infrastructure and employment, to time and to budget.

Atlantic SuperConnection has vast commercial, financial, legal, and regulatory experience on large-scale capitalintensive energy projects both in the UK and globally.

WYG is an award-winning professional services firm operating across the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia.

It is driven by client service and underpinned by technical excellence. It helps its clients create value, protect value, and manage risk. It is the partner of choice for organisations operating in complex or challenging environments.

It’s expertise in decommissioning and new build includes engineering, project and asset management, surveying, health and safety, environmental, planning and design, air quality, transport, traffic impact assessments and more.

28 — AUTUMN | 2017

OPINION

PowerPolitics “A GREAT DEAL OF MISINFORMATION HAS BEEN PUT OUT ON THE COSTS OF NEW NUCLEAR, DESPITE THE FACT IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER THAN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES”

J

ournalists refer to the long quiet summer period as the silly season; with all the key movers and shakers away, genuine political stories are thin on the ground and progressively more outlandish material fills the news pages.

This year has been no exception and while Theresa has been tramping the Swiss Alps we have heard not only about a possible new anti-Brexit party and chlorinated chicken for our Sunday roast, but the Conservatives’ response to Momentum; Moggmania!

Less alarmingly we have also heard, following the announcement that Britain was to ban all new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040, a lot about electric vehicles.

Given the transport sector currently consumes around one third of our total energy demand, this is a sensible move

by Government. Although we should not underestimate the massive technological and implementation challenges, starting with the thousands of petrol pumps throughout the country that will need to be replaced with fast charging points.

But the greatest challenge – and this is relevant to us – will be to provide the additional generating capacity needed to power this.

For there to be any real environmental benefit power needs to be new low carbon, not new fossil generated electricity,which means our future energy supply will require a much greater nuclear and renewables contribution.

Whilst 2040 might seem some time away, given the long lead-times involved the government needs to turn its mind quickly as to what market arrangements are required to deliver this.

For industry’s part, we need to help them by putting together a convincing case for new nuclear, not just on the security of supply and carbon reduction arguments but on the economics.

Over recent months a great deal of misinformation has been put out on the costs of new nuclear, despite the fact it is significantly cheaper than the most cost-effective large-scale renewables, namely offshore wind.

More worryingly there has also been a growing perception that advances in smart grids and battery technology mean that renewables can now do it all, and that nuclear is yesterday’s technology.

The reality of course is that this green nirvana is years away. Storing large amounts of electricity for longer than a few hours is still not feasible, and using the electricity generated in the summer (when wind and solar are strongest) to keep the lights on in the winter (when they are weakest) is still way beyond us.

In this context, readers will be well aware that energy prices have been a political hot potato for many years now, and to avoid it becoming an election issue the Conservative manifesto promised a ‘Cost of Energy’ review. It has recently been announced this review will be led by the renowned energy economist Dieter Helm.

It is clearly a useful opportunity to consider how things can be done better, but it is important that it avoids throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

The Government’s strategic approach to the energy sector has already resulted in EDF Energy’s decision to proceed with Hinkley Point C, and it now needs to

work closely with the other developers to ensure their projects proceed.

The best way to achieve this is not to tear up all existing arrangements but to build on successful existing policy measures, where necessary making them more effective, by for example ensuring risks are allocated appropriately for key national infrastructure projects, perhaps by taking an equity stake.

It would be remiss of me to finish this column without referring once again to Brexit. The Queen’s Speech in late June announced the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, to bring EU law onto the UK statute book. This will receive its first reading between 7-11 September, and is bound to stimulate lively debate, hopefully including the future of Euratom.

We believe the Government should pursue continuing membership of Euratom in its negotiations with the European Commission.

However, if it becomes clear this is not possible, transitional arrangements must be agreed as a matter of urgency.

As the NIA has repeatedly emphasised, the alternative would be a dangerous cliff-edge that would cause serious disruption to the nuclear sector both in the UK and across the EU. PETER HASLAM Head of Policy, NIA peter.haslam@niauk.org

2017 | AUTUMN — 29

Thursday 7 December etc.venues at County Hall, London nuclear2017.co.uk

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Registered Office: 5th Floor, Tower House, 10 Southampton Street, London WC2E 7HA

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