Institution's response to the Government’s announcement of a Nuclear Sector Deal

In response to the Government’s announcement of a Nuclear Sector Deal, Matt Rooney, Engineering Policy Adviser at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said,

“The Institution of Mechanical Engineers welcomes the publication of the Nuclear Sector Deal. The new thermal hydraulics facility in Anglesey will bolster the UK’s nuclear research and development capabilities. Along with the likely construction of the Horizon nuclear power station at Wylfa and the potential for a small modular reactor at Trawsfynydd, North Wales could become a world-leading industrial cluster.

In giving the announcement at the existing nuclear site at Trawsfynydd, the Secretary of State highlighted its suitability for hosting the UK’s first small modular nuclear reactor. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers named Trawsfynydd as a suitable location for the development of small modular reactors in a report in 2014.  Having successfully run a Magnox power plant for decades, the region has a network of skilled nuclear engineers and technicians.  The construction of a new  small modular reactor would secure vital investment and jobs for the local economy and mean that we continue to take advantage of their expertise.

The Secretary of State has recognised the need to promote gender diversity in the engineering profession, an issue which IMechE has long campaigned about. We would highlight the need to focus not just on gender diversity, but on promoting engineering to children from working class and ethnic minority backgrounds.”

Notes to Editors

• For interview requests and queries contact the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Press Office on 07990 566412 or email media@imeche.org.
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers was established in 1847 and has some of the world’s greatest engineers in its history books. It is one of the fastest growing professional engineering institutions. Headquartered in London, we have operations around the world and over 120,000 members in more than 140 countries working at the heart of the most important and dynamic industries such as the automotive, rail, aerospace, medical, power and construction industries.