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< The new planning regime will not offer utilities an easy ride | Integrated teams are the only way to deliver the water sector's massive capex plans >
A guide to the nuclear revival - new-build reactors in Britain
The government's programme
There are several strands of work going on to provide the framework for companies to build new nuclear power stations in the UK. Most are being managed by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc).
Justification
Under European Union rules, any new activities involving ionising radiation have first to undergo a justification process. A consultation on the justification closed in March and a decision by the Secretary of State is expected in 2009.
Nuclear power plant sites
The government has set out a process for choosing the sites for new nuclear power stations. It is detailed in Decc's dedicated nuclear siting website.
Companies had to nominate a list of sites where they may want to build new nuclear stations. Each site had to comply with a set of government-set criteria and companies had to carry out consultation with local communities before the sites were nominated.
The government will consult on the list of potential sites before approving the list. Reactors proposed for each site will undergo a site-specific planning process.
Choosing a reactor design
All nuclear reactors built in the UK have to be licensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and its Nuclear installations Inspectorate.
The HSE is currently licensing two reactor designs for UK use. The EPR is designed by Areva of France and the AP1000 by Westinghouse of the USA. The HSE is following a staged licensing process and has a dedicated site for those who want to follow the process or comment.
Building the UK's new reactors
The view from EDF: Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson tells Janet Wood why he thinks we will see the first of a new fleet of reactors within ten years
Views from Europe
Investors are assessing their options. Which are the most attaractive European nuclear new-build markets?
The nuclear debate has been central in Germany's election
Changes at the top at EDF could alter the position in France
Joining the supply chain
Can UK companies become part of the global nuclear supply chain?
Sheffield Forgemasters showed the way when it shipped the first of ten major components for Westinghouse-designed nuclear reactors in China.
Rolls Royce has leveraged government investment to regain its place in the nuclear supply chain
Major contractor Areva points out that the extensive new-build programme will require companies throughout the supply chain and urges new entrants to join
The Nuclear Industry Association(NIA) is urging companies to grab the opportunity. It has set up a dedicated portal all those interested in becoming nuclear qualified and building links with companies already in the industry.
Nuclear Industry Association
Nuclear supply chain portal.
EDF Energy has set out a detailed procurement timetable
Joining the industry: engineering jobs and more
The nuclear new-build industry will have engineering jobs to offer, but a host of other roles will have to be filled, from health physicists to environmentalists.
Search for new jobs at the Utility Week job site. If you want to be kept up to date with new vacancies upload your CV here.
Not sure you have all the skills required? Neil Daly recruitment consultants Hamilton points out that nuclear companies will be aiming to bolster their recruitment from other industries with related skill sets
And hear - for one minute from an industry member
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