Influencing best practice in the UK nuclear sector
Influencing best practice in the UK nuclear sector
By Don Ward, Constructing Excellence
The Government published its consultation on its National Policy Statements, including on nuclear power, on November 9. These set out the forward strategy for a major programme of new nuclear power stations, including at Hinkley Point and Oldbury.
The two biggest clients in the sector, EDF Energy and Eon-Npower, have both joined Constructing Excellence as national corporate members, and Constructing Excellence has supported three supplier events with over 1100 people attending, in London, Newmarket and most recently Loxton in Somerset on October 30, under the banner of the Nuclear Industries’ Association (NIA) - see www.nuclearsupplychain.comfor a lot more information.
The main engagement was to facilitate e-voting to gain immediate, honest and anonymous feedback on delegates’ views, to probe which issues people found important, and to understand the need for further support. In Bridgwater Don also took over from Lord O’Neill to chair the final session of the day. The event was successful in improving delegates’ understanding of the programme, as the following extract from the e-voting shows:
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"How well do you understand the scope and schedule of UK nuclear newbuild?"
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Start of the day
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End of the day
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Very well
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13
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21
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Well
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9
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47
|
|
Quite well
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21
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29
|
|
Not well
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42
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3
|
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Not at all well
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16
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0
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It is clear that there are higher standards of quality and health and safety required in this sector, as well as a whole new language (for example, SQEPing = Suitably Qualified and Experienced People), but leading construction businesses should not be deterred from investigating where the opportunities may lie, and Constructing Excellence hopes to work nationally and regionally to demystify the construction aspects of this massive programme.
