Nuclear Industry Association
The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) is a subscription-based Trade association for the civil nuclear industry in the United Kingdom. It represents more than 260 companies across the nuclear supply chain. The diversity of NIA membership enables effective and constructive industry-wide interaction. It publishes the quarterly magazine, Industry Link, and it represents over 65,000 workers.
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Abbreviation | NIA |
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Formation | 1963 |
Type | Trade association |
Legal status | Private company limited by guarantee without share capital claiming exemption under Section 30 of the act (02804518) |
Purpose | Representing nuclear energy companies in the UK |
Headquarters | Tower House |
Location | |
Region served | UK |
Membership | c.270 civil nuclear industry companies |
Chief Executive | Tom Greatrex |
Chairman | Dr Tim Stone |
Website | NIA |
Formerly called | British Nuclear Industry Forum (BNIF) |
The NIA believes nuclear energy is essential to meet the UK's clean energy needs. As part of a diversified energy mix, nuclear-generated energy provides safe and reliable electricity for UK homes, hospitals, schools, and industries.
Its objectives are to:
- Improve the commercial performance of the nuclear industry by supporting member companies in developing their businesses in the UK and overseas.
- Engage with the public, media, and politicians to promote a better understanding of nuclear energy and its role within a low-carbon energy mix.
- Work collaboratively across the nuclear industry to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) to young people.
Members
The NIA includes members from across the UK, including the operators of nuclear power stations, those engaged in nuclear power station decommissioning, waste management, nuclear liabilities management and all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear equipment suppliers, engineering and construction firms, nuclear research organization, and legal, financial and consultancy companies.
Member subscriptions pay for all NIA activity.
Leadership
Tom Greatrex is the NIA's chief executive. Appointed in February 2016, he succeeded Keith Parker who had been chief executive for more than a decade. A board of directors made up of senior people from across the civil nuclear supply chain and research bodies, oversees the direction of the organization. Lord Hutton of Furness acted as chairman from 2011 until 2018 and was succeeded by Dr Tim Stone.[1]
Services
The NIA offers a range of services to its members to help improve the commercial performance of the nuclear industry by supporting member companies to develop their business in the UK and overseas.
It organizes business group meetings to help share information and provide networking opportunities for its members. These groups cover:
- New build
- Decommissioning and existing generation
- Legal and financial affairs
- Exports
- Quality
- External relations
- Nuclear supply chain partnership
NIA members can also access a comprehensive Trade Directory to find products and services from UK-based companies across the nuclear sector.
Conferences
The NIA holds conferences for its members. Its annual conference, Nuclear 2016, took place on 1 December 2016. The conference was previously known as "Energy Choices and #Nuclear – Powering the UK". The conference attracts speakers covering aspects of the nuclear sector and Government. Energy Minister, Andrea Leadsom, spoke at the 2015 event.
The NIA also holds a biennial Nuclear New Build conference. The two-day event took place in the summer of 2017. This event looked at the progress being made across all new build projects, the opportunities and challenges they face, and opportunities for supply chain companies.
re: generation
To engage the public on civil nuclear issues and how nuclear compares to other low-carbon sources of electricity generation, the NIA runs a campaign called re: generation. The campaign is aimed at school-age children and involves classroom-based events and talks.
Subjects covered include the pros and cons of different sources of energy, how nuclear power works, the types of jobs available in the nuclear sector through the apprenticeship and graduate route, and practical sessions on natural radiation and half-life.
Schools can get in touch directly with the NIA to arrange a visit and talk.
Key publications
To help further the interests of the nuclear supply chain and inform people about the nuclear sector, the NIA produces several publications.
Nuclear Energy Facts provides bite-sized and clear information about the nuclear sector in a format accessible to all ages.
The Capability Report outlines the capability of the UK supply chain to deliver nuclear build. Originally published in 2008, it helped inform the government's nuclear strategy. It was last updated in 2012.
The Essential Guide provides lower-tier contractors with an introduction to the processes, procedures, and working arrangements required to design, construct, and commission new nuclear power plants in the UK.
Industry Link is NIA's membership magazine that covers the latest news and developments within NIA member companies, the government, and the industry as a whole.
See also
References
- "Nuclear Industry Association announces new Chair, Dr Tim Stone CBE". NIA UK. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2019-04-03.