DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release issued by
The Government News Network on 23 July 2008
Business Secretary
John Hutton today confirmed the Government will establish a
National Nuclear Laboratory, and launch a competition to appoint a
commercial operator to run the organisation.
The National Nuclear Laboratory will become an international
centre of excellence in nuclear research and development, playing
a vital role in cleaning up both the UK's nuclear waste
legacy, and also contributing to the programme of nuclear new build.
Mr Hutton confirmed that after detailed work, a business plan for
the long term development and viability of the laboratory was now
in place.
Earlier this year John Hutton gave the go-ahead for industry to
come forward with plans for a new generation of nuclear power
stations. Today's announcement aims to ensure that the
UK's ambitions for a new generation of nuclear power stations
are matched by the required skills and expertise.
Mr Hutton made the announcement during a speech in Sellafield to
launch the West Cumbria Masterplan - a £2 billion regeneration
initiative that sets out the vision to build on the area's
nuclear expertise and to create 16,000 jobs and boost the economy
by £800 million.
Mr Hutton said:
"It is now clear nuclear power will need to continue to play
a crucial role in our low carbon future. The creation of the NNL
will safeguard the UK's high-tech nuclear expertise,
facilities and skills.
"The people of West Cumbria know that a career in the
nuclear industry is something to be proud of. I am determined the
UK makes the most of its unrivalled nuclear skills base. To
secure our future energy needs, we will need thousands of skilled
men and women across the UK to take advantage of the 100,000 jobs
new nuclear could bring to the UK."
The NNL will bring together world-class nuclear research
capability comprising the staff in Nexia Solutions and facilities
owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), including
the Sellafield Technology Centre. It will be owned by Government,
but run by a commercial operator - whose aim will be to put the
new organisation on a firm commercial footing. The new commercial
operator, to be in place by spring 2009, will be expected to make
the most of an emerging domestic and international market for
nuclear technology and research services.
Commenting on the launch of the West Cumbria Masterplan - known
as the 'Energy Coast', Mr Hutton said:
"West Cumbria has a key role in helping the UK achieve our
energy goals of tackling climate change and securing our future
energy supplies. This ambitious blue-print will make the area a
dynamic, vibrant place to live and work for decades to come.
Building on its strong foundations as the birthplace of civil
nuclear power in the UK, I call on West Cumbria to stand ready to
seize the opportunities in terms of jobs and wealth from the
transition to a low-carbon economy."
Notes to editors
1 Nexia Solutions has around 750 staff. This represents a
significant portion of the UK's civil nuclear R&D
capability. Nexia provides science-based 'technology',
rather than 'pure R&D', to support the UK's
civil nuclear operations and clean-up programme, particularly at
Sellafield. The NDA portfolio in 2007/8 is expected to contribute
72% of revenues, with BE and MoD contributing a further 24%.
International work is currently about 2%.
2. Sellafield Technology Centre (BTC) comprises inactive
facilities including office accommodation for over 280 people in
an open plan accommodation area and laboratories for general
chemistry, materials and corrosion studies. The active areas of
the BTC have been designated as Phases 1, 2 and 3. BTC phase 1 and
office suite, is currently active with BTC phases 2 (High
inventory Plutonium suite) and phase 3 (Highly Active suite) in
care and maintenance. The new management contractor will help
explore whether there is a business case for phases 2 and 3 to be commissioned.
3. Ministers announced the intention to establish a new National
Nuclear Laboratory on 24 October 2006.