The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

As we welcome in the New Year, I feel confident in predicting that 2012 will be the year for nuclear delivery and for new opportunities across the industry.

The Nuclear Industry Association is aligned with and fully supports the work of the NDA and its Site Licence Companies to develop opportunities for their supply chain. The NDA's role in maintaining a robust supply chain is crucial not only to the successful delivery of its own remit, but also to the future wellbeing of the industry.

The NDA already spends almost 60% of its budget - £1.37 billion last year - in the supply chain, helping to sustain the capability the sector needs now and into the future.

I cannot stress too highly how important it is to deal effectively with the legacy from the early pioneering days of nuclear technology. The policy, institutional and industrial measures are in place to achieve that.

Success in dealing with the legacy will help create the right environment for future new build and improve public confidence in the industry's ability to deliver a safe, secure, reliable nuclear programme to the benefit of the country's future energy needs, as well as to its economic wellbeing through boosting its industrial and skills base.

There are clear synergies between the various nuclear sectors. Many of the same companies who are active in existing operations and decommissioning will be involved in new build. It would be a mistake to compartmentalise those activities because understanding of the nuclear culture, the quality standards and the commitment to safe operations are common across the whole industry.

There will be new build opportunities at home and overseas, coupled with opportunities in decommissioning in which the UK leads the world by virtue of our pioneering nuclear technology from the 1950s onwards. These opportunities are generating substantial interest from companies already in or preparing to join the nuclear supply chain.

I strongly recommend the website SC@nuclear which was specifically designed to inform companies and help them prepare to compete successfully in the domestic and international markets.

This programme has the support of government, the major companies in the industry and the trade unions. Around 1,000 companies – many new to nuclear but with experience in other highly regulated and high-tech sectors - are registered with SC@nuclear.

They receive valuable information - through regular presentations, newsletters and publications - about the nuclear market, the structure of the supply chain, nuclear codes and standards and the quality arrangements they will need to demonstrate to potential clients. The website also provides links to the procurement portals of those client companies who will be letting commercial contracts.