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Industry Overview - Nuclear
The nuclear industry in the UK provides 22% of the electricity we use
and powers all the submarines in the Royal Navy. By operating nuclear
power stations instead of gas and coal fired ones, the UK saves the
equivalent of the carbon emissions from all the UK’s cars on the road.
The world’s first commercial nuclear power station started operation at
Calder Hall in Cumbria in 1956. The industry now directly employs over
50,000 people in the UK at 12 operational nuclear power stations, 7
decommissioned ones and several other civil and defence sites around
the UK. Nuclear fuel cycle operations in the UK are of major
international importance and can provide for all the needs of the UK
and for much of the export demand.
The safe and cost effective decommissioning and cleanup of the power
stations and fuel processing facilities, once they are shut down, will
be a real technical and engineering challenge.
The industry has a wide variety of supply chain companies, such as
engineering & construction contractors, fabricators of specialist
equipment, manufacturers and specialist service providers. All of these
companies need good engineers and scientists as well as production,
maintenance and technical support specialists.
All parts of the UK nuclear industry are subject to one safety regulator, the HSE Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power stations provide power through the National Grid to the
electricity distribution companies and is generally the lowest cost
power supplier to the grid.
A well trained and highly skilled workforce of approximately 15,000
people is employed in the operation and decommissioning of the UK’s
nuclear power stations. Most of these people did science or technical
qualifications at school, some went to university, and all were trained
in the nuclear technology once they joined the industry.
Nuclear Fuel Cycle
The nuclear fuel cycle provides the fresh fuel and the spent fuel
services - for nuclear power stations. About 20,000 people in the UK
are employed in these activities in the UK. These people also did
science or technology in their last years at school and were trained in
the nuclear technology by their employers.
Decommissioning and cleanup
Decomissioning is the dismantling of plant and buildings and clearing
up after the plant has reached its end of life. Cleanup leaves the site
ready for reuse.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is responsible for
maintaining and developing a skilled workforce able to undertake the
work of decommissioning nuclear installations and of cleaning up
nuclear sites. This is a long term programme and there is plenty of
interesting technical work to be done by scientists, engineers,
technicians, craftsmen and unskilled workers.
Defence
The Royal Navy has 15 nuclear powered submarines in service. The first
of the new Astute class is under construction at Barrow-in-Furness.
These submarines all use nuclear steam power for propulsion. The
nuclear submarines operate from the Naval Bases in Devonport and
Faslane, and are refitted and refuelled at the Dockyard in Plymouth.
These defence activities employ about 10,000 people.
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