LRQA Chairman, Martin Blackburn, recently paid a return visit to key client, EDF Energy, at their Sizewell B power station to discuss the challenges and opportunities involved with scaling up nuclear power generation.
Together with LRQA, EDF Energy is tackling the pivotal challenge of enhancing the skills necessary to produce nuclear power at an unprecedented volume, while simultaneously maintaining and operating the existing nuclear power station fleet.
LRQA is the largest provider of safety-critical nuclear inspection services in the UK and has been on-site at Sizewell B since the beginning of its mechanical build in the 1990s.
During his visit, Martin engaged in discussions with Robert Gunn, the Director of Sizewell B power station, including how to navigate supply chain challenges, as well as how initiatives such as the Net Zero Nuclear pledge – launched and signed by both LRQA and EDF at COP28 – can support the nuclear industry.
Martin also addressed the escalating challenges and opportunities associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, before being briefed on EDF’s ‘spent fuel ponds’ – storage pools for spent fuel from nuclear reactors – and LRQA's efforts to prepare for the upcoming outage in October 2024.
Martin said:
“I am so proud of the work LRQA does and our relentless focus on our clients as we work together to build a better, more sustainable and secure future. It was fantastic to see the parallels between LRQA’s purpose and the strategic priorities of EDF Energy.”
Pictured: Martin Blackburn (Chairman, LRQA), Robert Gunn (EDF Energy), Peter Elliston (LRQA) and Mike Brown (LRQA).
Find out more about LRQA’s Nuclear services.
