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Chancellor Rachel Reeves called last month’s nuclear funding announcement ‘the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation’.
The main focus was on the £14.2 billion investment to get the construction of Sizewell C moving, as well as significant investment in small modular reactors, and research and development funding for fusion energy. Investment in nuclear defence was also included in the funding announcement.
With these investments in clean energy production through the various nuclear projects and defence advancements, came a promise of thousands of new jobs, in a move coined the golden age for nuclear.
Job opportunities at Sizewell C
The construction of Sizewell C is poised to create approximately 10,000 jobs, a significant boost for the UK labour market. This includes a variety of roles, directly and indirectly associated with the project, encompassing 1,500 apprenticeships that promise to shape the next generation of nuclear industry experts. With over £330 million in contracts already allocated to local businesses, and an anticipated involvement from 3,500 British suppliers, the ripple effects on sectors like construction, engineering, and hospitality are expected to be substantial.
Sizewell C is projected to supply the equivalent of six million homes with clean electricity, contributing significantly to the UK’s energy security and its net zero emissions goal by 2050. By reducing dependency on imported fuels, the construction of Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C aims to stabilise energy prices for consumers and secure a greener, more sustainable energy supply in-country.
Rolls-Royce given remit to advance SMR
After a competitive bidding process, Rolls-Royce SMR was appointed as the preferred technology partner to support Great British Nuclear’s plans to build Small Modular Reactors, the government administration set-up to advance nuclear in the UK. The technology will have a capacity to generate around 470 megawatts of power, with growing demand for the creation of buildings such as data centres driving the need for localised nuclear power options. The location of where the first SMRs will be constructed in the UK is yet to be revealed, but the appointment of Rolls-Royce SMR it a major step forward.
Investing in fusion energy
Advances are also expected to be made in the research and development of fusion energy, with £2.5 billion set aside over the next 5 years. Part of this research programme is STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype reactor, that is being developed in Nottinghamshire. Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. If scientists can successfully develop the prototype, it has the potential to create limitless energy sources.
Upgrading the UK’s nuclear defence sector
The UK's financial commitment to nuclear extends beyond power generation, with additional investments reinforcing the nation's nuclear defence capabilities and supporting critical infrastructure upgrades.
£4 billion over the next decade is earmarked Plymouth naval base, whilst continuing to provide long-term investment in nuclear defence for national security. An additional £6 billion has been committed to transform the country’s defence capability including submarine bases at BAE Barrow and Rolls-Royce Submarines in Derby. The move is to support the planned increased in production rates announced in the government’s Strategic Defence Review. Scotland will also see nuclear defence investment, as an initial £250 million will be made available over 3 years to redevelopment HMNB Clyde.
Creating jobs across the nuclear supply chain
The significant investment is certainly welcome news when it comes to future nuclear job opportunities across the various suppliers and specialist contractors that will be involved in the various projects being funded.
To prepare, contractors will need to identify skills gaps and diversification opportunities, looking at how they can scale up their workforce to have the capacity and capability to secure lucrative contracts.
NRL’s nuclear and defence recruiters have extensive experience supporting organisations to do just that, having worked across these sectors to identify the right people for nuclear jobs for more than 40 years. We’re actively supporting clients with the construction of Hinkley Point C and are proud to be a member of the Sizewell C Consortium.
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