25 Feb 2010
A major UK nuclear industry conference will examine Britain’s energy future in detail – and provide a global showcase for UK civil nuclear expertise to an international audience. The two-day New Nuclear Build:2010 – Nuclear’s Next generation event will be the first major nuclear energy conference and exhibition of the year – put together and endorsed by the UK nuclear industry, for the UK nuclear industry.
Running over 2-3 March at Westminster’s Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, the event will feature a string of prominent speakers, organised by the Nuclear Industry
Association, The Nuclear Institute and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
High-level participants include David Kidney MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, who will deliver the keynote address on day one of the conference.
Other highlights will include contributions from Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson updating on EDF’s ambitious new-build plans in a session that will also hear from Alan Raymant of Horizon Nuclear Power, and Luc Geraets representing the new-build joint-venture of GDF Suez, Iberdrola and Scottish & Southern. Also on day one BBC Newsnight’s Gavin Esler will host an hour-long political Question Time featuring five politicians with strong views on energy and nuclear in particular. Already confirmed are former Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, SNP trade & industry spokesman Mike Weir, Hywel Williams of Plaid Cymru and DECC select committee member Julie Kirkbride.
Other key sessions cover regulation, deliverability of new build, supply chain, skills and best practice.
Major vendors AREVA and Westinghouse will make important presentations, and other speakers include Mike Weightman, Chief Inspector of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, Dr. Tim Stone, chair of the Office for Nuclear Development, Dr Pauleen Lane, deputy chair of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), and a Minister of Science, S.K. Mazumder, representing the Indian government. New Nuclear Build:2010 - Nuclear’s Next Generation is not just about developments in the UK. An international trade delegation from countries including India, China and the United Arab Emirates will visit the conference and exhibition to see a series of showcase events promoting UK nuclear expertise to crucial global markets.
Keith Parker, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said the conference would be a landmark event for Britain’s civil nuclear industry. “This exciting conference will of course highlight the issues around new nuclear build in the UK. But it will also offer an excellent opportunity for many of our British nuclear companies to showcase their potential to a global market in a series of unique seminars during the event.” The Nuclear Institute’s President Paul Thomas was equally enthusiastic. He said: “With growing international interest in nuclear power, this is a truly informative and influential event providing the opportunity to make new contacts and renew old friendships,”.
IMechE President Keith Millard said: “This is a prestigious, timely and ground-breaking conference. Britain’s nuclear new build ambitions will help safeguard the security of energy supply for future generations and is a cornerstone of the Government’s lowcarbon transition plan. In addition, there is serious potential to build a foundation on British engineering excellence which will be both a challenging and exciting prospect for the profession.
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