The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group showcased how it’s using technology, innovation and expert skills to deliver its crucial mission, at the Nuclear Industry Association’s ‘Nuclear Week in Parliament’.
NDA CEO David Peattie shared his views with those attending, stating that the NDA’s ‘legacy was built on ambitious and transformational technology and innovation’ and that the delivery of the decommissioning mission will be transformed by it.
The NDA estate is one of the most complex, hazardous environments in the world, in many cases requiring first, and last of a kind, engineering and design solutions and a unique and varied range of skills.
At its reception for Parliamentarians, MPs and industry stakeholders, the NDA shared how its investing around £100 million each year in research and development.
This is delivered in collaboration with academia, government and others across the sector, to explore how emerging technologies can deliver sustainable decommissioning more effectively and for less cost to the taxpayer.
Attendees heard how the organisation is collaborating with the defence sector to co-fund solutions and exploit technologies such as advanced robotics, virtual reality, and machine learning, that could revolutionise the ability to access areas unsafe for humans.
The NDA also sponsored the Skills and Apprenticeship Fair, where 12 NDA group apprentices were invited to speak first-hand about how their organisations are developing the next generation of the nuclear decommissioning workforce.
The NDA is tasked with safely and securely decommissioning the nation’s oldest nuclear sites, removing the burden for future generations.
It’s a programme of work that will last for well over a hundred years so developing a pipeline of future talent is an essential part of delivering this nationally important mission long into the future.
Warrington North MP, Charlotte Nichols who hosted the Skills and Apprenticeship Fair, said: I’m a big supporter of the nuclear industry, including the decommissioning sector, which is a big employer in my constituency. It offers a great career including the opportunity to tackle ground-breaking work.