Sam Orchard

The South West’s nuclear sector has started the year with a landmark achievement: the Office for Nuclear Regulation has officially confirmed that Hinkley Point B is now fuel free. This marks the successful completion of the site’s defueling programme, delivered safely, on schedule, and on budget. Over the past three years, teams across EDF, Nuclear …

Hinkley Point B Achieves Fuel‑Free Status: A Major Milestone for the South West Read More »

Astral Systems is advancing innovation in nuclear medicine and fusion technology, with a growing team based in the South West. In this Q&A, we speak with Tom Haywood, Director of Market Development – Nuclear Medicine at Astral Systems, who leads the strategy and execution of bringing new radiopharmaceuticals to the global market. He shares his …

Q&A with Tom Haywood of Astral Systems Read More »

Earlier this month, Nuclear South West proudly joined the UK Pavilion at the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) in Paris, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Energy Industries Council (EIC). As the world’s largest civil nuclear gathering, WNE brought together thousands of suppliers, innovators, and decision‑makers from across the globe. Representing …

Nuclear South West at the World Nuclear Exhibition, Paris Read More »

The recent Rolls‑Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) announcement marks a significant milestone in the UK’s nuclear journey. Positioned as a key technology for delivering reliable, low‑carbon energy, SMRs are designed to be faster to build, more flexible to deploy, and a cornerstone of the UK’s net‑zero ambitions. At a national level, the programme carries huge …

Rolls‑Royce SMR: What the Announcement Means for the South West Read More »

The Welding Test Centre: Bridgwater’s New Training Facility for Nuclear Skills and Certification In January 2025, a new facility quietly opened its doors in Bridgwater and quickly became a cornerstone of nuclear readiness in the South West. The Welding Test Centre (WTC), a TÜV-approved facility was established to meet a growing need: high-quality, local access …

The Welding Test Centre: A New Asset for Nuclear Infrastructure Read More »