Collaboration over new nuclear vital, Urenco tells MP event

Nuclear Week in Parliament 2023 saw hundreds of parliamentarians and industry representatives engage in various events during the week and Urenco had a strong presence throughout as one of the week’s main sponsors.

On Monday, Chief Commercial Officer, Laurent Odeh, provided the opening remarks at the Nuclear Week Welcome Reception. 

Addressing industry stakeholders and parliamentary advocates for nuclear energy, Laurent welcomed the UK Government’s recent announcements regarding Sizewell C and the launch of the Nuclear Fuel Fund as key developments to help increase British nuclear energy capacity.  

Laurent also stressed the importance of the UK’s sovereign fuel capability to strengthen energy independence.

Laurent added: “It is essential that policymakers maintain their commitment to the renewal of the nuclear energy sector in the UK.  This will bring investor confidence to the country as well as to the supply chain…

“By working in collaboration across government, skills bodies, academia, and unions, we can meet the Government’s ambitious forward programme to build new nuclear whilst safeguarding vital jobs, skills, and investment.”

On Tuesday, Urenco hosted a parliament panel event with Virginia Crosbie MP on how the sector can address its skills challenge. 

Virginia said three things were needed to utilise new nuclear builds in the UK: pace, certainty and funding. 

Joining Virginia on the panel were Saralyn Thomas, Senior Consultant Abbott Risk Consulting (ARC) and 2022 Chair of the Young Generation Network (YGN); Jennie Chapman, Head of Nuclear Skills at EDF and current co-chair of the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG); Jo Tipa, Managing Director of National Skills Academy Nuclear (NSAN); and Professor Scott Heath, Professor of Nuclear Chemistry at Manchester University. 

Urenco also supported the Nuclear Week in Parliament Skills and Apprenticeship Fair on Tuesday. Hosted by Charlotte Nichols MP, the event brought together apprentices and graduates from across the sector to discuss with Parliamentarians the different routes into the sector and highlight the career opportunities.

Urenco were also present for the British Nuclear Showcase Reception on Wednesday which included a key note speech by Business Secretary, Grant Shapps MP. 

The purpose of Nuclear Week in Parliament, organised by the Nuclear Industry Association, is to promote the opportunities that nuclear energy presents within Parliament, to bring together key stakeholders and decision-makers to hold productive conversations and to help drive forward the UK nuclear industry.

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