Where's the nuclear new build bonanza?

Back in 2009, I attended a large supply chain event in London along with hundreds of other business people to hear how billions of pounds worth of contracts would be let and thousands of high quality jobs created.  It was heralded as the start of a nuclear new build 'bonanza'.  Every one was excited, myself included, when we built the last nuclear station in the UK at Sizewell I was in short pants still completing my apprenticeship!

Here we are more than six years on from that London conference and we appear to be still at a similar position, however the cost has risen to an eye watering number and we are dependent upon a Franco-Chinese funding arrangement. A combination of those cuisines doesn't sound appealing to me, but the impact on potential contracts that can be secured by UK businesses, may be even less palatable.

My business has be fortunate to secure a large nuclear contract this year, albeit in decommissioning, however our chances of winning other than crumbs off the table from Hinkley Point C et al seem to be diminishing as the weeks and months roll by.

The likelihood is we'll have a triple whammy of not only higher energy bills for decades to come, UK plc will not have recycled the cash via our home grown businesses, but, most importantly, the continuation of maintaining and developing our own nuclear credentials and skills will be lost. Can we really afford to become dependent upon other countries expertise?

We'll soon just be left with celebrity chiefs, but at least they'll be able to develop Foie Gras Chow Mein to feed our new 'partners' whilst they're being paid to developing there proficiency in our backyard!!!