Clean energy growth - Powering the North
Transferable skills utilised in cleaning up the Sellafield site can support the next phase of clean energy projects in the UK and other projects of major national importance, says Sellafield.
‘The growth of clean energy and how it can power the north’, was one of the key themes at a Northern Powerhouse event in Manchester attended by parliamentarians and business leaders, including Sellafield Ltd.
The panel discussion highlighted the importance of clean energy growth in the north and how sources such as offshore wind, carbon capture and storage and nuclear power can provide ‘skilled jobs to allow the development of the sector in line with the government’s decarbonisation agenda.’
Jamie Reed, Sellafield Ltd’s head of corporate affairs said: “We are working with our owner, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, to develop a pipeline of the right skills to drive the 100-year mission of cleaning up the Sellafield site.
“These transferable skills can support the next phase of clean energy projects in the UK and other projects of major national importance. In the process, this is of incredible value to our local community, the industry and the economy.
“We are one of Europe’s most important and high profile environmental clean-up programmes. We’re cleaning up the legacy at Sellafield while working to minimise our environmental impact.
“Waste management has always been an important part of our business. This means avoiding the creation of waste in the first place, reducing the amount of waste we produce, reusing items and then recycling before we even think of disposal. And of course, reducing waste brings with it a focus upon value from all of our work.
“These principles apply across our business from developing bespoke equipment to demolish redundant nuclear facilities to recycling office waste.
“As a major national infrastructure project, we will play our part in helping the UK to achieve its zero carbon ambition starting with our first carbon reduction target in 2019/20.
“To deliver our mission and support future clean energy missions we clearly need high levels of educational attainment. In those communities where we work, in West Cumbria and Warrington, we are helping to raise standards, close the attainment gap and promote healthy lifestyles. In addition, this helps our communities to become more sustainable and economically diverse.
“By investing in the skills of our workforce we leave a positive legacy for our community by helping to build a diverse and resilient local economy that will include becoming a centre of nuclear and clean energy excellence and expertise.”
Sellafield Ltd is home to the largest and most complex nuclear facility in Europe. Situated in West Cumbria, it has an annual budget of over £2 billion per year, funded by the UK government.
Jamie added: “Progressing our uniquely important national mission requires carefully managed, world-first engineering projects. This means that the development of our people and the education of future workers are crucial to our success.
“As home to the world’s first commercial scale nuclear power plant, we are the original northern powerhouse. And as members of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership we work closely with Government, local authorities, and other partners to give us a greater chance of success, through driving economic growth in areas such as education, skills and innovation.
“Together with the other partners, we will work to help make the Northern Partnership a reality. It’s important for our future that we broaden understanding of our mission and our contribution to the regional and national economy.”
Lord Ravensdale, vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for nuclear energy said: “The north has a major role to play in the transition to clean energy - such as nuclear, carbon capture and storage and renewables - and this means a requirement for skills and jobs through all the excellent assets, including industries, in the area.”
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