18 December 2020
Nuclear power will play a central role in the UK’s roadmap to Net Zero, which has been outlined in full this week following the publication of the Energy White Paper.
Assystem welcomes the plan that will position nuclear across three areas of the low carbon electricity supply behind the country’s energy transition. The plan confirms at least one further large-scale nuclear power plant, investment in innovative nuclear technology realised through SMRs, while also recognising nuclear power can provide plentiful low carbon electricity as a fuel for hydrogen production.
The UK Government also confirmed they would be entering into talks with EDF to explore suitable funding options for Sizewell C, stating its intent to reach a financial investment decision on at least one large scale new nuclear project in this Parliament. This is further boosted by the publication of the Government’s news that the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model consultation, which confirms that the RAB model remains a viable option for financing large scale nuclear.
The endorsement for nuclear places the sector as an anchor for innovative technologies, such as hydrogen production, while recognising the potential of SMR and advanced modular reactors (AMR) which could be deployed in 10 years, with a £385 million ‘Advanced Nuclear Fund’ guaranteed to explore their potential.
Assystem’s UK Managing Director, Simon Barber said: “As an active partner in the UK’s nuclear programmes, and a leading SMR and fusion engineering company, we are focused on investing in the people and skills needed to help deliver the nuclear projects ambitions set out in the Energy White Paper."
“We’re also recruiting more people from other industries to join nuclear by offering training through our Assystem Nuclear Institute, building the skills at the heart of the country’s energy transition across our seven UK offices today.”
Assystem is the world’s second largest nuclear engineering company and a Tier 1 supplier to the UK nuclear industry, playing leading roles at Hinkley Point C and other ready-to-go projects, including the UK SMR programme led by Rolls-Royce.
The company is also part of the Sizewell C Consortium, which consists of UK companies and organisations urging the Government to give the major infrastructure this important low-carbon electricity generation project the green light.
For the full list of opportunities within Assystem, click here.
To apply for the 2021 graduate scheme, send a CV and covering letter to graduates@assystem.com.
