The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) has warmly welcomed government’s commitment to the UK’s civil nuclear sector – and its support in strengthening its manufacturing sector.

Lord Mandelson announced a package of measures to support the UK’s civil nuclear industry including a new Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC), the creation of a Nuclear Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA) in the North-West, and greater cooperation and input from Universities and industry-leading companies like Rolls-Royce to enhance the expertise of UK manufacturers.

During a series of announcements during the day in which the nuclear industry gathered at the cutting-edge Energy Choices conference, details of a major support framework to enable UK firms to compete at the highest levels of nuclear manufacturing both in the UK - and globally - were unveiled.

The measures included:

• Appointment of North-West and Yorkshire as a Nuclear Low carbon Economic Area (LCEA), led by the North West Development Agency (NWDA) in collaboration with Yorkshire Forward.
• A new Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) is to be based in South Yorkshire. The lead University is Sheffield in partnership with Manchester, with Rolls-Royce as the lead industrial partner.
• The Government has committed £15m from the Strategic Investment Fund to NAMRC.  This is a commitment under the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. An additional £8m will be allocated to upgrade the nuclear laboratories at Manchester University’s Dalton Nuclear Institute to support the NAMRC.
• It will bring together university research and industrial expertise to develop manufacturing techniques and components that will meet the demand for new nuclear power stations.  It will also benefit supply chain companies with support in securing accreditation to compete in the civil nuclear sector
• Rolls-Royce plan a civil nuclear factory in South Yorkshire. This is part of an investment programme announced on 28 July 2009, which included £45m of investment from the Government. 

NIA chief executive Keith Parker said the moves were: “a sign of real commitment to the future of the UK’s manufacturing sector.”

He added: “The manufacturing sector is key to the UK nuclear industry, and to the future of British business as a whole. Projects like this give the private sector the confidence to invest in long term plans, knowing that they will get the right support from government”.

Keith Parker acknowledged the UK expertise demonstrated by companies like Rolls-Royce, who will play a lead role in new nuclear power stations both here, and abroad.

“UK industry has stepped-up to the plate. Our member-companies are gearing up for nuclear new build, and are putting substantial investment into making sure that the UK has the right capabilities, skills infrastructure and commercial landscape to be a competitive player on the global nuclear market”. The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre will play a key role in helping develop and expand the UK nuclear supply chain. Nuclear power provides direct employment for some 45,000 workers in the UK; supplying low-carbon, secure and affordable electricity to the UK.