Event Overview
25 March 2026, Bristol
Nuclear South West was pleased to take part in the South Gloucestershire Civil Nuclear Business Forum on 25 March, joining representatives from local government, industry, SMEs, the skills sector and hosted by Future Leap, to discuss the future of the Berkeley and Oldbury sites and the wider regional opportunity for clean energy and nuclear development. The session provided a valuable space to reflect on the region’s strengths, the lessons learned from major UK projects, and the steps needed to position the Southwest and South Wales as a leading hub for next‑generation nuclear and advanced manufacturing.
Much of the discussion focused on the strategic importance of Berkeley and Oldbury. Berkeley was widely recognised as a flexible, innovation‑ready site with a unique mix of engineering halls, legacy laboratories and sheltered facilities that continue to attract interest from fusion, fission and pharmaceutical startups. As one participant noted, “all of them have mentioned Berkeley at one point,” reflecting the site’s growing relevance to early‑stage technology developers and research organisations. Its proximity to Bristol and the ongoing decommissioning activity, which itself is generating innovation in waste management, reinforce Berkeley’s potential as a centre for R&D and specialist engineering.
Oldbury, meanwhile, remains a nationally designated site for future nuclear development, with land now partly owned by Great British Nuclear. While not committed to any specific technology, the site retains long‑term strategic value. The conversation highlighted the complexity of public perception, shaped by proximity, generational attitudes and the visibility of local benefits. One attendee captured this succinctly: “the only person in the street would just view [an SMR] as another nuclear power station.” The group agreed that consistent, transparent engagement, particularly around transport, housing and community impact, will be essential as the site evolves.
The roundtable also explored lessons from Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. Participants emphasised the importance of early planning for transport and workforce accommodation, noting that Sizewell has applied HPC’s learning more proactively, particularly through earlier rail‑head development and stricter traffic controls. The discussion also recognised the need for clearer, more accessible supply chain pathways. SMEs continue to face challenges around procurement complexity, slow payment terms and limited visibility of opportunities, despite the region’s strong engineering and manufacturing base. Addressing these barriers was seen as critical to unlocking local capability and ensuring that regional businesses can participate fully in future programmes.
Skills and workforce development formed another key theme. Colleges, universities and employers stressed the need for earlier engagement with young people, clearer career pathways and stronger alignment between industry needs and education provision. Younger generations were noted as increasingly supportive of nuclear, driven by concerns about energy security and climate change. The region’s strengths in trades, engineering, robotics and digital technologies were highlighted as assets that can be built upon with the right coordination.
A recurring message throughout the session was the importance of presenting a unified regional proposition. Other parts of the UK, including Copeland, the East Midlands and Cottingham, are already advancing clean‑energy park concepts and SMR‑ready masterplans. To remain competitive, the Southwest and South Wales will need to articulate a clear, confident narrative that showcases their combined assets, capabilities and strategic advantages. Participants referenced the strong collaborative pitch developed for the STEP fusion programme as an example of what the region can achieve when it speaks with one voice.
Several priorities emerged from the discussion, including the development of a regional capability map, a refreshed pitch for SMRs and clean‑energy investment, improved SME access to major programmes, stronger early‑years engagement, and enhanced collaboration across local authorities. These actions will help ensure that the region is visible, coordinated and ready to seize the opportunities ahead.
Nuclear South West will continue to work closely with partners across industry, academia and local government to champion the region’s strengths and support the development of a thriving, future‑focused nuclear and clean‑energy ecosystem.
