WIREDGOV

Welsh businesses, which are part of the nuclear supply chain, will be able to take advantage of major contracts in the nuclear industry as a result of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Spanish counterparts.

With backing from the Welsh Government’s EU Resilience Fund the Wales Nuclear Forum visited Santander in Spain to meet representatives of the Cantabrian Industry Nuclear Cluster to sign the MoU on future collaboration.

Members of the Spanish group have recently won significant contracts to fabricate pressurisers for the Hinkley Point C project. There could also be potential to supply Sellafield with materials for its waste storage programme.

Welsh businesses on their own would be likely to have limited success in winning these major contracts, but now have every opportunity to participate through their partnership with the Spanish group.  

Economy Minister Ken Skates recently said:

I’m pleased the Welsh Government was able to support this collaboration with our EU Resilience fund.  A number of companies in Wales have particular skills, expertise and experience which are valuable for the nuclear supply chain.

There are a number of opportunities in this sector, including the construction of Hinkley Point and decommissioning work at Sellafield and other sites.  As part of a larger group they have much more of an opportunity to be able to benefit from these contracts.  This means we can maintain the expertise of the nuclear supply chain in Wales, and the high quality skilled jobs it brings.”    

Peter Cornish, Chair of the Wales Nuclear Forum recently said:

The Wales Nuclear Forum is pleased to be involved with the Welsh Government in creating opportunities for collaboration between Welsh and Spanish businesses. 

The trade mission to Santander was a complete success with the signing of the MoU, presentations and discussions that will create opportunities for Welsh SME’s to support the service and supply to the Hinkley Point “C” project and other projects throughout the UK. 

The WNF has been promoting Welsh SME excellence in the provision of manufacturing products and services throughout the whole of Wales and will support these companies in liaising with larger contractor organisations that have joined as partners and that can assist with the ongoing development and successful supply into the Nuclear and Energy sectors.

Welsh companies which took part in the visit to Cantabria were Acorn Recruitment, Huntingdon Fusion Techniques, Teddington Engineered Solutions, C&P Engineering, Roberts & Prowse, Site Heat Treatment Services.