The Magazine of the UK Nuclear Industry Association Civil Nuclear Industry Jobs Map 2011 Special Issue Nuclear Brief As an industry we have a huge amount of work to do in engaging with Government and the general public following on from the events in Japan. In fact it is of utmost importance. We fully recognise that we have much to do – that we must present our case in a robust and transparent manner, while clearly making the case for new nuclear power stations to be built in the UK. Overview - by John Hutton, Chairman, NIA Dr Mike Weightman speaking at Fukushima The Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami are tragedies of still argue the case as before because it is a sound argument. But historic proportions. We know that Governments around the we must take into account public disquiet world have responded magnificently in coming to Japan’s aid. It is a major humanitarian disaster which many people As I have said before, the question is “Is it safe for us to go on seem to forget – caused by a natural disaster the like of building nuclear power stations?” And once again, I say the which we have not seen before. answer is an emphatic “yes”. It has been fascinating to see the key independent institutions like the G8’s Nuclear Energy Agency Some 15,000 people are confirmed dead. We must not lose or the IAEA move forward recommendations on lessons learned sight of Japan’s suffering. But to some this story is from Japan. This should give confidence to the public. They have inextricably linked to nuclear. Although the nuclear plants a right to be wary – they also have a right to have the utmost immediately responded as they should – and let’s not forget confidence in these bodies and in Europe’s nuclear regulators. nuclear carried on supplying much-needed electricity to the They must be in no doubt that the industry will ensure no stone Japanese people after the disaster at what was the coldest will be left unturned in the quest to constantly improve time of the year – there is clearly a major perception issue procedures and retain safety as the number one priority. We and for the nuclear industry. Japan’s nuclear industry has Government both need to play a leading part in building that responded magnificently – and this has been recognised by confidence. major reports by the IAEA and other independent agencies. But of course we also know the Tsunami threat was The political leadership shown during the Japan crisis has given underestimated. From this the industry must and will learn us confidence that we are on track – and that nuclear is rightly a important lessons. major part of the Government’s plans for the UK’s future energy mix. I have every confidence in the UK industry stepping-up to Governments around the globe will also be looking at the the plate. But we must keep the momentum and confidence effect of Fukushima on the potential for a global nuclear going. This is hugely important. renaissance. The strong, undeniable benefits of modern civil nuclear power are still the same – and make nuclear a Nuclear power stations are safe – that is the key message from the popular choice among many countries looking to renew preliminary findings of Mike Weightman’s independent report for their energy infrastructure and de-carbonise their energy the UK Government. He even went as far as to applaud our sectors. But we recognise the context has changed. We must nuclear operators for taking immediate action to review safety and emergency preparedness. Weightman has since been asked to take a global lead on the IAEA’s regulatory recommendations post In this issue... -Fukushima. This illustrates more than anything else how hugely respected the UK’s independent nuclear regulator is around the Nuclear brief world. It is an area where the UK is seen as a world leader. A Nuclear Future We are rigorously regulated in the UK – and that is of course right Government View and proper. The UK public can be assured that nuclear plants in the UK are safe – and will be safe going forward. The NDA: real progress and formidable challenges Reforming our Market Nuclear - clean-air energy www.niauk.org A Nuclear Future If we are to meet our carbon emission obligations and create a secure energy supply, nuclear power must remain an essential part of our energy mix going well into the future. Standpoint – by NIA Chief Executive Keith Parker In recent years the UK has made huge progress in turning around what was generally regarded as a sunset industry, enduring a slow and graceful decline, into one with bright Nuclear new build will create an and optimistic prospects that is destined now to be a estimated 30,000 jobs by 2025 cornerstone of the UK’s energy needs. So why is nuclear power so important? Here are just some of • The UK’s target is to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% the reasons: by 2050. Nuclear energy is a reliable, low-carbon form of • There are currently 10 nuclear power stations in the UK, energy. providing around one fifth of the UK’s electricity. All but • Nuclear power is baseload. This means that it operates 24 one will have closed by 2023. hours a day, 7 days a week. Nuclear is the only low carbon • If our current fleet of nuclear power is not replaced by base-load option. new nuclear, we will become heavily reliant on imported The UK industry is in a strong position to capitalise on our gas with major implications for our security of supply and long history of achievement in nuclear power, and our carbon reduction targets. reputation for quality and professionalism. We must • More than 59,000 jobs in the UK are dependent on the maintain this momentum to ensure our goals are achieved – UK nuclear industry. It is estimated that 16GW of new to create and sustain a secure, low-carbon, affordable energy build will create 30,000 jobs by 2025. future. Government View Hergen Haye, Head of New Nuclear, Department for Energy and Climate Change This has been an eventful year for the nuclear power sector. Government has taken very seriously the events in Japan and believes that there are lessons for both Government and industry on how to continuously improve both existing and new build nuclear power stations. Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP addressed the Nuclear Rather than making rash decisions, the Secretary of State for New Build 2011 Conference on July 5th 2011 Energy and Climate Change asked the UK Chief Nuclear Inspector Dr Mike Weightman to provide a report to the Nuclear NPS with a majority of 267 to 14, a majority of 253. Government on the implications of the events in Japan and This is a major building block in enabling developers to the lessons to be learned for the UK nuclear industry. Dr come forward with planning applications to build new Weightman’s interim report was published on 18 May, and nuclear power stations. The NPSs together with the we await his final report in the Autumn. Electricity Market Reform White Paper published on 12th July, give a clear signal to investors that the UK is open for Nuclear safety is and will continue to be a top priority for business for both nuclear and other forms of low carbon the Government. electricity generation. The findings of the interim report confirm that the UK’s Government is continuing in its efforts to ensure that the current safety regime is working but we must not be conditions are right for investment in new nuclear power in complacent. Dr. Weightman’s report reassures us that the UK which includes working with the regulators on nuclear should be part of the energy mix and we have made Generic Design Assessment and putting in place the significant progress in ensuring that it can. framework for the financing of decommissioning and waste On 19th July Government designated the National Policy management. Our commitment to new nuclear has the Statements for Energy Infrastructure, including a list of potential to provide significant job opportunities – 16GW of potential sites for new nuclear power stations. This followed nuclear generation capacity planned by energy companies a debate and approval by Parliament, who voted on the could create around 30,000 new jobs in the UK. The NDA:NDA: real progress and formidable challenges Decommissioning has been transformed since the NDA was established in 2005 to take responsibility for cleaning up the UK’s civil nuclear legacy. The introduction of competition, through the appointment of private-sector companies to manage Decommissioning of the Windscale Advanced Gas-Cooled sites, has brought international expertise to support Reactor (WAGR) Decommissioning on the Sellafield site has safe, effective progress. recently been completed. Some of the major milestones of the last 12 months, which standing issues, such as the legacy ponds and silos, will be has seen continued improvements in safety performance, resolved. include: We have optimised the approach to the Magnox fleet by - The sealing up of reactors at Berkeley, a UK first, before focusing on lead sites, ensuring that lessons are learned once final clearance in around 60 years time; in the estate and then rolled out elsewhere. This will enable - Safe destruction of over half of Dounreay’s sodium- a more efficient use of resources, improved timescales and potassium alloy (NaK), a highly radioactive liquid metal, reduced costs. the second highest hazard in the NDA’s estate; The competition to win the Dounreay Parent Body - Around 100 acres of land removed from the constraints of Organisation (PBO) contract continues, with an anticipated a nuclear site licence, enabling re-development for announcement on the preferred bidder in November 2011, industrial or commercial use; and share transfer the following April.