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Nuclear Manufacturing Summit focuses on supply chain solutions

Nuclear Manufacturing

Following publication of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy in October 2021, and the significant role that new nuclear will play in achieving carbon net zero, the Heart of the South West’s nuclear sector lead, Corinne Matthews, attended the Nuclear Manufacturing Summit on 16 and 17 November.

Held at the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the Summit’s discussion themes explored how manufacturers involved in the construction of nuclear plants can work together to innovate and develop solutions to overcome the challenges of lengthy lead times and high expense to getting more reactors onstream.

There has been a renewed focus on nuclear as a clean fuel. Alongside wind power, nuclear is considered the lowest carbon electricity source on earth with by far the smallest land footprint of any green energy source. The UK Government has already indicated that it intends to secure a final investment decision on a large-scale nuclear plant by the end of this parliament.

The Summit attendees discussed how the gap between where the UK supply chain is today, and where it needs to be, can be bridged. From current gigawatt-scale projects to new designs of small and advanced modular reactor, along with continuing opportunities in the decommissioning and defence sectors, the scale of market demand will stretch the nuclear supply chain’s capabilities and capacity to the limit. Experts were also on hand to provide advice and support for supply chain companies already working in nuclear, and those looking to get into the sector.

The renewed focus on nuclear has the potential to be of huge benefit to many companies in the South West as the next new nuclear reactors coming on stream is at Hinkley Point in Somerset. The Nuclear Sector Lead attended the summit to raise the profile of the regional nuclear eco-systems that exist in the LEP area to support the economic development transformational opportunities as a key ingredient of the Government’s Levelling up agenda.

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.