An Introduction
The United Kingdom is at the beginning of a new phase of new nuclear energy. Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK in a generation. Thousands of contractors will be hired during the construction of HPC, either directly or through Tier 1 contractors.
Nuclear has been a mainstay of the energy mix for decades but with an ageing fleet of reactors due to be (or in the process of being) decommissioned, this could leave a gap in energy supply which is unlikely to be filled by renewable energy for a variety of reasons.
Therefore, the planned commissioning of Hinkley Point C in a few years’ time and the building of Sizewell C is scheduled to provide a combined 13% of the UK low carbon energy needs for at least 60 years. In addition to these two large scale nuclear facilities there are many other potential opportunities at existing nuclear sites through small modular reactors and interconnecting future technologies such as hydrogen, which could provide at least a consistent 20% of energy for the rest of this century.
According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe nuclear is the lowest lifecycle carbon footprint of any energy source at 5.1 gCO2 equivalent per kWh. The socio-economic opportunities in Nuclear should not be underestimated with thousands of highly skilled and transferrable jobs being created in the sector, not only new build but also decommissioning
Hinkley Point C is more than just the construction of a power station; it is a catalyst for meeting the government’s ambition for low carbon energy and energy security along with improving skills and productivity. A stated aim is to create 1000 apprenticeship and 25,000 job opportunities throughout the construction of HPC.
What is the Nuclear Professional Services Group (PSG)?
The Nuclear Professional Services Group (Nuclear PSG) is a collection of professional service businesses that have direct or transferrable experience of advising owners, contractors and sub-contractors to support the successful delivery of civil nuclear contracts and projects.
Formed in 2017 initially as the Hinkley PSG to advise businesses wishing to be involved with the build of Hinkley Point C (HPC) the group in 2024 changed its name to Nuclear PSG reflecting future growth of nuclear with emerging opportunities at Sizewell, small modular and micro reactor developments, and nuclear decommissioning. The group remains committed to supporting the HPC project.
The overriding principle is that members of Nuclear PSG are collaborative, bring valued experience becoming trusted advisors to their clients. All Nuclear PSG group members are committed to sharing best practice, through case studies, videos, workshops, and information sheets. Initial free consultations are available and to be an ambassador for new nuclear energy projects. Members who have been carefully chosen and include law firms, accountancy practices, finance companies, finance brokers, human resource, and project management specialists, along with selected collaborators. All can provide advice as businesses go through various stages of contracts including tender preparation, NEC3, and other contract negotiation, mobilisation, and contract delivery. Nuclear PSG is endorsed by the Hinkley Supply Chain and supported by Hinkley Point C.