£124bn in nuclear contracts a driver for businesses to explore decommissioning work

BUSINESSES can capitalise on future decommissioning opportunities within the nuclear industry at an event powered by leading names in the sector.

Organised by Menter Mon and hosted by Enterprise Hub at M-SParc in Gaerwen, Anglesey, the event takes place on April 7 from 3pm to 6pm.

Speakers will explain and discuss nuclear decommissioning business opportunities at Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd and Wylfa on Anglesey, in addition to the skills development needed to maximise local and regional business benefit.

Changes to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) Strategy will see decommissioning work accelerate in the coming years, particularly at Trawsfynydd.

The Welsh Government and Menter Mon want to raise the profile of these opportunities to businesses across North Wales and the whole of the country.

They want to hear from engineers, civil engineers, tradespeople and anyone with a company that could be of value to the nuclear decommissioning supply chain going forward, with reports suggesting the cost of cleaning up Britain’s 17 historical nuclear sites might last around 120 years and be worth an estimated £124 billion in procurements.

Bethan Fraser-Williams, Menter Mon Projects Director, said: “The decommissioning of both sites will lead to many long-term, sustainable roles for years to come.

“At both Trawsfynydd and Wylfa there will employment opportunities but also the chance to develop skills, in partnership with the private and public sectors, as well as developing business collaboration.

“We hope people will engage and attend the event and get in touch to find out more because there will be significant contracts on offer that could be pivotal from an economic and environmental perspective for this and future generations, and it will also be an excellent networking session.”

Among those presenting on the day will be Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Mon; Paul Walsh, Head of Procurement at Magnox; Rhianwen Edwards, Director of Commercial and Work-Based Learning, Grwp Llandrillo Menai; Harvey Johnson, Nuclear Decommissioning Manager, Assystem, and DNA Ltd Director, Gareth Davies.

Anglesey-based industrial manufacturer Mona Lifting will also be sharing their experiences of working in the nuclear decommissioning sector.

Director Steve Jones urged other companies to explore the wide range of prospects open to them, adding: “As a multi-discipline organisation, we have worked UK-wide and internationally in the nuclear energy sector and taken on projects of all sizes that demand our experience and expertise.

“For SMEs in North Wales, and independent contractors, whether it be in civil engineering, waste management, design or many other industries, there will be work for you to bid for.

“This event will shine a light on what is a critical time for the nuclear industry and give companies across North Wales and beyond a platform to secure their futures while having a positive impact on the economy.”