Rolls-Royce To Establish New Unit For 'GBP 50 Billion' Nuclear Market
Written by NucNet
Thursday, 17 July 2008
17 Jul (NucNet): British aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce is
establishing a new business unit to address the global market for civil
nuclear power. The company estimates that this worldwide market could
be worth 50 billion pounds (GBP) (100 billion US dollars, 63 billion
euro) a year in 15 years time.
Rolls-Royce said in a statement today that it has the largest nuclear skills base of any UK company, with around 2,000 specialist nuclear-focused employees in the UK, France and the US. It also has the UK's "most substantial nuclear supply chain", comprising around 260 proven suppliers.
The company said its strength in nuclear power originates from its involvement in the development and support of the nuclear steam raising plant for the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine programme. In addition it established Data Systems & Solutions (DS&S) in 1999. DS&S provides safety critical instrumentation and control for civil nuclear reactors in a number of markets including France, the US and China.
Rolls-Royce chief executive Sir John Rose said: "Our experience is directly applicable to all phases of new build programmes that are planned in the UK and globally, and also to the upgrade of existing plants. Our capability is unique in the UK and matched by only a handful of companies worldwide."
The new business unit will provide a service that can support a number of the phases of a civil nuclear programme, including providing advice to governments and operators, technical engineering support and safety assessments, manufacturing, procurement and through life support.
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Energy Giants Prepare For UK New Build (News No. 127, 23 May 2007)
UK Gives Green Light To New Nuclear Plants (News No. 3, 10 January 2008)
