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.”