We’re energising the nuclear industry.
Many countries across the world, including the US and UK, are facing energy blackouts by 2012 according to a survey undertaken by a leading energy company.
A combination of coal-fired power stations closing, existing nuclear stations reaching the end of their active life, and an increase in demand could lead to a 20 percent shortfall in demand by 2015.
As the world looks for new, cleaner energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, nuclear power is back on the agenda as a viable source of clean and reliable energy.
With nearly 80 percent of the 441 commercial nuclear reactors worldwide more than 15 years old and reaching the end of their active lives, how will the industry develop to fill the energy gap?
Building safe, secure and efficient nuclear power plants to meet energy needs for the future will be a key issue leading up to 2012 and beyond.
In June this year the European Union, which has the largest number of nuclear power plants in the world, proposed a number of Member States plan investments or life extensions of nuclear power plants in order to meet the growing electricity demand, improve security of supply and tackle climate change.
In the Yorkshire and Humber region, Sheffield Forgemasters Ltd, a world leading casting and forging company, is in prime position to help countries meet the criteria set out in this proposal.
In June 2009, they provided the first ever UK-manufactured component for China's nuclear power programme. They also expanded their global supply of civil nuclear power components further through the delivery of £1.2 million of forgings to power generation company Babcock and Wilcox for an Argentine nuclear power programme, and a further £1.2m of forgings to German pump manufacturer KSB, destined for South Korea.
Sheffield Forgemasters Ltd is also moving ahead with plans to produce a 15,000-metric-ton press that could start to produce ultra-large forgings within three years for the nuclear industry – these would be amongst the largest in the world.
It’s easy to see how being located in Yorkshire and Humber has contributed to Sheffield Forgemaster’s success. The region offers internationally renowned expertise in high-precision, high-quality engineering, metals production and manufacturing and its 5,600 advanced engineering and materials companies generate over £4.9 billion a year.
The region also offers unique access to engineering expertise and knowledge through the National Metals Technology Centre (the UK’s only skills centre for metals technology) and the Composites and Advanced Materials Technology Centre, attracting global companies like Boeing, Rolls Royce and Messier-Dowty.
In addition, the state-of-the-art Environmental Energy Technology Centre, located on the world-class Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre in Sheffield, provides an ideal location to develop environmental energy technology businesses.
Yorkshire and Humber is also home to an established and experienced workforce which enables engineering businesses to exploit the huge growth opportunities in environmental technologies.
As nuclear power takes centre stage once again as a realistic energy source to fill the energy gap, governments around the world will look to specialist engineering and environmental technology companies to provide solutions for existing and new power stations. The Yorkshire and Humber region offers these companies expertise and support to ensure they can thrive in this marketplace.
Our role is to support foreign owned businesses who wish to set up operations in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK. For more information on what service and support we can offer click here or to contact us now click here.