RENEWABLE & GREEN ENERGY
develop the skilled workforce and supply chain needed for the construction of new nuclear reactors to ensure ample nuclear infrastructure is available to meet undeniably growing demand .
“ Making the case for nuclear power in the first place is an important starting point and then we need to show how careers spring from that ,” Alan advises . “ We already have an extensive pool of expertise to draw on in the UK , thanks particularly to our work in defence , research and decommissioning .
“ The newly established Nuclear Skills Taskforce looks at these industries together , so we ’ re not just thinking about how we build nuclear , but how we sustain the sector long term .
“ More widely we need to lower barriers to entry into nuclear careers – helping those already in the industry , as well as students and apprentices , to access professional training . Importantly , this applies to construction and the supply chain , not just to technological roles .”
This sentiment is echoed by Valentina . She is quick to assert that nuclear projects are highly complex , capital-intensive endeavours with long development times – averaging around seven years but often extending much longer . This means that there ’ s a ticking clock when it comes to building infrastructure in line with and keeping up with growing demand .
For example , a single nuclear reactor can cost between US $ 4bn and US $ 10bn , which cannot be raised without substantial financial commitment and often government support .
“MAKING THE CASE FOR NUCLEAR POWER IN THE FIRST PLACE IS AN IMPORTANT STARTING POINT ”
ALAN SINCLAIR DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF UK NATURAL RESOURCES AT TURNER & TOWNSEND
74 December 2024