New figures show nuclear industry now supports 3,500 jobs in Bristol
New figures show that the nuclear industry now supports 3,500 jobs in Bristol, as the sector expands to support new nuclear construction. Businesses that have grown to support Hinkley Point C in Somerset are now poised to benefit from developments proposed at Berkeley and Oldbury in Gloucestershire. The projects are needed to give Britain energy security with reliable low carbon electricity, working with wind and solar, to help Britain move away from imported fossil fuels.
A new “Bristol, nuclear city” jobs map has been published showing the extent of the jobs in dozens of businesses involved in engineering, manufacturing, logistics, training and research. Across the South-West, 27,000 jobs are now supported by nuclear - three times more than in 2014.
Engineering centres with hundreds of engineers have been developed at Aztec West. They are due to expand to support Sizewell C, Britain's next nuclear project after Hinkley Point C.
Plans to develop Oldbury and Berkeley for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer further potential for growth in skilled jobs. These plans are supported by Great British Nuclear, the Chiltern Vital Group and Rolls-Royce.
More than 300 Bristol-based companies have won contracts at Hinkley Point C, worth more than £2bn
Laing O’Rourke and Framatome have opened new factories in Avonmouth, employing 150 people, building modular parts for the Somerset project
650 Engineers at the UK EPR Engineering centre based at Aztec West are designing Hinkley Point C and the next large nuclear power station project at Sizewell C
Oldbury owned by Great British Nuclear and Berkeley owned by Chiltern Vital Group offer the potential to host small modular reactors and associated economic activity like data centres
The University of Bristol supports world-leading nuclear research and training, while training is also supported by UWE Bristol. Bristol also benefits from facilities to support nuclear skills and the National College for Nuclear in Somerset, Bridgwater and Taunton College and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
Andrew Cockcroft, Head of Social Impact at Hinkley Point C, said: "The South West went first with new nuclear at Hinkley Point C and Bristol is reaping the rewards. The project has been a catalyst to attract new businesses and growth to the city, supporting thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs and making Bristol a national centre of nuclear expertise."
Alastair Evans, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Director of Corporate and Government Affairs, said: "The South West has played a vital role throughout the entire history of the nuclear industry, providing generations of uniquely skilled people and suppliers. I’m delighted it can also have an important part in its future, with Oldbury and Berkeley sites being targeted as potential locations for a new generation of Small Modular Reactors."
Phil Smith, Managing Director, Business West, said: “Bristol, the economic engine of the South West, sits at the centre of the region’s new era of exciting expansion into the production of low carbon energy. Tackling the UK’s critical challenges of energy prices, energy resilience, and achieving net zero, the region's burgeoning developments in offshore wind, EV batteries, and in particular new nuclear projects, will be dependent on Bristol’s powerhouse of academia, engineering, and professional services. Business West is supporting the much-needed supply chain that new nuclear will rely on, including the critical component of an available and skilled workforce.”
