A service that seeks to attract more investment into South West nuclear power projects is set to continue for a further year. South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS) has been awarded the contract, following a competitive tender process.
The Bridgwater-based organisation said the next phase would “build on the success” of the previous six-year contract, with five investments facilitated in the region and more than 550 local jobs created in the past year.
The service will provide a single point of entry to investors requiring information and support to relocate to Somerset and Bristol, including access to key stakeholders across local authorities, commercial property, training, skills and innovation.
The scheme is funded by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, the West of England Combined Authority, Sedgemoor DC, Somerset West & Taunton Council and french energy EDG, which is behind Somerset nuclear power station Hinkley Point C. It also works very closely with nuclear trade and investment teams within the government.
SWMAS’ managing director Nick Golding said: “There are millions of pounds worth of opportunities still available for the nuclear sector in the South West region. We look forward to unlocking the region’s potential to foreign investors and newcomers from across the UK who want to be part of this cluster in the South West of England.”
Corinne Matthews, nuclear and aerospace lead at the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “The ambition and innovation that nuclear brings to the area is huge. Not only is Hinkley Point C the only live new build nuclear project in the UK, but the region is also contributing to innovative projects, such as the South West Nuclear Hub’s HyDUS pilot scale demonstrator.”
Andrew Cockcroft, senior stakeholder relations manager at EDF said: “Hinkley Point C has proven the way in which the development of new, low-carbon infrastructure can bring much wider social and economic value to an area.
The South West is the home of our project and we look forward to supporting SWMAS in bringing further growth from international markets where current gaps exist to support unlocking future development in the region.”
Stephen Bashford, WECA’s director of business and skills, said: “The clean energy sector is of significant importance to the West of England and wider South West region, particularly with our ambitious net-zero targets.
“Therefore we are pleased to continue to work with Nuclear South West and SWMAS to attract investment from international nuclear and wider clean energy markets, which will support our commitment to net-zero by 2030, whilst creating high value jobs for our residents.”
Read next:
- 75 per cent of UK manufacturers 'not prioritising net zero', report finds
- ‘Positive picture’ for South West firms as confidence hits one-year high
- First Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor arrives on site in Somerset
- Cost of Hinkley Point C nuclear plant could inflate to more than £30bn
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