New Build

In a bid to “de-mummify” this industry and help its members find potential business opportunities at home and abroad, the UK´s Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) has a busy year ahead with a Parliamentary grilling already under its belt. This week we look at what exactly is the NIA´s agenda, the importance of overseas trade trips and how one environmentalist says it´s up to NIA members to “save the world”.

As the number of column inches on nuclear energy have grown in the past 12 months, so too have the number of members who have joined the UK´s Nuclear Industry Association (NIA).

However, it can be argued that the genuine value of a trade association can be best measured not by the number of members it can boast, but rather the depth and dedication of the team leading the members into battle when the industry faces major milestones and challenges.

In January of this year, NIA´s Chief Executive, Keith Parker and Head of Public Affairs, Simon James, were under the spotlight in front of the House of Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change to answer some hard hitting questions about National Policy Statements (NPSs).

For more than 60 minutes, Parker and James were grilled alongside Richard Waite and Bruce McKirdy of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the future of Dungeness and why the NIA endorses the appraisal of sustainability for each of the NPSs.

Parker is still at the NIA helm, a testament that he came out of the Parliamentary “challenge" unscathed.

But will he and his team be able to answer the really tough questions on the feasibility of utility loan guarantees or any other uncomfortable issue that crops its head after the general election?  

Timing it right in an uncertain world

The uncertainty that a general election brings to the British economy and the nuclear energy supply chain is considerable.

Add to that the waiting game for the likes of Areva, Westinghouse and all those in the supply chain, waiting to make their move once the HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate gives the licensing green light, and you have a brewing pot of ´what if ´scenarios—nothing concrete .

Despite the challenges of a general election and a pending change in climate change policy and budget, companies in the nuclear supply chain are encouraged to go full steam ahead.

The NIA says that  despite any delay in processing the NPSs, the” first planning application for a new nuclear power station (Hinkley Point) in 25 years can still be submitted this summer and new build can begin in earnest.”

Drawing in the crowds

Bringing members together for networking opportunities is one of the NIA´s main responsibilities.

Often members of trade associations complain of politically influenced agendas, flaccid networking events, less than incentivized staff and run of the mill event speakers.

But the NIA outdid itself at its Energy Choices conference, bringing in top utility bosses, MPs, nuclear trade bodies and a networking ice breaker in the guise of “star speaker” and environmental campaigner Mark Lynas.

ntal campaigner, who challenged his attentive audience to “to save the world”.

Highly-rated author Lynas, a climate-change specialist, who advises the Government of the Maldives, delivered what the NIA described as “a stinging reproach to anti-nuke supporters, UK politicians – and the nuclear industry itself” ahead of the Copenhagen summit.

“The Lib-Dems have an irrational position on nuclear and climate change, which has been spoon-fed to them by Greenpeace,” said Lynas.

“The Tories are all over the place,” he continued.

“Labour are better, but only after making a spectacular U-turn, and are still a bit half-hearted.”

He concluded: “I say this to you (the nuclear industry)…Please remember that your job is to save the world.”

In addition to drawing in the crowds at annual events, NIA´s Parker will have the tables turned on him this month (May) in Barcelona at the ECN 2010 where he will give a keynote speech on the UK nuclear scene.

According to John McNamara, who handles the association´s media and communications, Parker has had a specific request to cover the UK´s energy policy in regards to a timely UK new build programme.

Not an easy task, but a valid request nonetheless, as conference delegates don´t want to pay to listen to patriotic marketing garble, they want something they can take back home—an action plan.

It will be moments like these that the NIA´s ability to draw the crowds and inspire decisive action amongst those in the utilities and supply chains will be taken into account.

UK Nuclear going Global

The NIA says that it is giving a stronger focus to international markets through the work of its Nuclear Export Working Group (NEG).

The NEG is supported at the highest levels within government through UKTI and aims to support business objectives by actively engaging with international clients and suppliers alike through missions, briefings and technical tours.

One of the most prominent projects undertaken by the NEG is the production of a UK Capabilities Brochure, which was published this March.

It was created so that the NIA, selected members and UKTI reps had something tangible to present at overseas trade missions to illustrate what the UK nuclear industry has to offer.

“It will serve as an invaluable tool on overseas trade missions in showcasing the wider ranging expertise in the UK nuclear industry in one document,” says the NIA.

“It has the potential to provide major benefits to overseas nuclear programmes, and could contribute across the whole nuclear lifecycle from the construction of new stations, through to improving existing operations and waste management, decommissioning and disposal.”

Among the missions that took place this year was an outward mission to Abu Dhabi in mid-February for a small group of senior industry executives accompanying Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson.

Another pending overseas mission to India has been penciled in for this month following a promising visit in 2009, and could open an immense opportunity for the UK nuclear industry should the trip go ahead.

But like all UKTI engineered events, sometimes the challenge isn´t the trip itself, but getting the right balance of industry representatives and budgets finalized.

One of the biggest outcomes of the pending trip could in fact be the signing of a Civil Nuclear Co-operation Declaration between the British and Indian Governments, which could facilitate greater collaboration between the nuclear industries.

Feeding the value chain

Is a trade association worth its weight in gold? That depends on just how active a member you are.

Are you keeping abreast of the UKTI trade missions taking place overseas? Are you getting your middle management geared up for a new sales drive through training or networking?

While these are questions all senior management must ask, it is also important to remember that sometimes the best networking opportunities do not happen at swanky annual events, but at small venues, so keep abreast of NIA sponsored events in the coming months and keep your salesmen´s ears to the ground.

Opportunity doesn´t always strike twice.