Engineering company capitalises on ‘huge’ nuclear opportunities in South West

A smart shift in focus to capitalise on nuclear industry growth has boosted business and increased exposure for a South West-based engineering company.

Nuclear sector growth across the region has seen SC Innovation, a specialist engineering company, secure work on new projects, win new clients and create jobs. The company has recently completed tests on water filtration and cooling systems which will be used at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and provided engineering advisory support for the construction of the jetty which is under construction at the site.

The company, who are based in Devon, have been supported in their nuclear business drive by the Hinkley Supply Chain team, which works with contractors to connect local companies with the opportunities linked to the new power station.

Stuart Ship, Sector Lead for Special Projects at SC Innovation, will share details of how his company is benefiting from working in the sector at Nuclear South West’s Annual Conference in Bristol on 19 September.

“Focusing on nuclear has given us great exposure to new work in the South West, as well as new markets in Scotland, the North West and overseas,” said Stuart.

“When the nuclear island starts being built at Hinkley Point C we will see an influx of highly skilled people coming to work in the region. 

“The big drive is to bring people down here and show them that the South West has so much to offer professionally, as well as an excellent lifestyle.”

The Nuclear South West Annual Conference will kick off with a keynote speech from former Business Secretary Lord Hutton, who is Chair of the Nuclear Industry Association and Nuclear Industry Council. Lord Hutton’s address will detail how the nuclear sector deal is positively impacting the growth of the UK industry. 

The event, delivered by Nuclear South West and supported by South West Nuclear Hub, takes place at The Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel in Broad St, on September 19. This year’s conference will focus on collaboration in the industry and important international links.

A report commissioned by Nuclear South West recently revealed that the region is ideally placed to capitalise on economic opportunities worth £50bn to the UK economy. The research states that South West-based SMEs, large companies and training providers could supply £15bn worth of work to the nuclear sector.

Industry leaders will give updates on these opportunities and attendees will have the opportunity to find out more about important openings in the sector. 

Ian Truman, from Burges Salmon, will share his expertise on Brexit and Exiting Euratom, EDF’s head of stakeholder engagement David Eccles will provide an update on the Hinkley Point C project and David Ralph, CEO of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, will speak on the picture in the South West region.

French company Nucleopolis will lead a business match-making session for companies interested in export and investment. This follows the recent signing of an agreement between Nucleopolis and Nuclear South West, which aims to create jobs, unlock opportunities and attract new investment to both regions.

“We have a stellar line up of speakers for our conference this year, and I am sure those who attend will be offered a unique chance to find out how the huge opportunities in the South West region, and UK wide, can help boost business,” said Matt Burley – Chair of Nuclear South West.

 “Crucial updates will be heard on the nuclear industry in the UK and the legacy of Hinkley Point C and we will be hearing from people who are at the heart of our growth story in the South West.”        

Nuclear South West aims to establish further opportunities to build links with clusters in countries including Canada, Japan and South Africa.