Somerset will become world leader in nuclear
Somerset businesses and those looking to move to the county have heard from the Head of Nuclear New Build at the Department for Energy and Climate Change that the low carbon renaissance provides a “fantastic business opportunity”.
Top civil servant Hergen Haye told around 200 delegates at the low carbon conference in Somerset at the end of May that the investment at Hinkley Point can be the catalyst for developing a cluster of businesses specialising in technology that Britain and the world must have to tackle the problems of climate change.
Haye said, “We need to train up the workforce, expand businesses, have more start-up new businesses and we should also aim to attract business from elsewhere in the country and overseas. In the long term, we should aim to become leaders in the business field, to enable us to invest and operate abroad. “
He was speaking to Somerset business leaders and companies looking to move to the county to take advantage of the nuclear renaissance developing around the EDF Energy’s £10bn Hinkley development project.
The event was Somerset – the Energy to Achieve, held at Taunton Rugby Club on Tuesday 24th May.
“Together we can change the perception that new build programmes rely on labour from overseas,” Haye said. “We have the opportunity to strengthen workforces and business opportunities, whether it is in construction, engineering or hospitality and transport. The framework is there and the instruments are available to support and to finance the project. The question is, will businesses rise to the challenge, take the opportunity and make it happen?”
To complement the Hinkley redevelopment, EDF Energy is investing in the Energy and Construction Skills Centres at Bridgwater College and in West Somerset Community College, which will provide the skills in the workforce needed if Britain is to take a lead in the global nuclear new build programme.
Also speaking at the event, Alan Cumming, EDF’s nuclear new build procurement director, said, “We already have £11.5m being spent in the local area and we haven’t even started.”
Cumming and his team have visited 76 companies within the nuclear supply chain in Somerset in recent months, engaged with 46 firms and registered 800 people on the supply chain database.
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He continued, “EDF is the biggest nuclear power operator in the world. This will be the first English-speaking development and this community will be looked upon globally as to how to build power stations in the future.”
Chair of Into Somerset, Cllr Anne Fraser said, “Despite the recent tough economic times, Somerset and its business community has remained resolute, looking for new ways to stay competitive. Change means there are opportunities – opportunities to develop new skills in the workforce and opportunities to build new markets and to secure competitive advantage.”
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