Midlands Engine supports the relaunch of the UK Nuclear Regions Collaboration

Originally founded at the end of 2019, the UK Nuclear Regions Collaboration brings together regions from across the UK that are home to future and existing nuclear sites or that represent major hubs of nuclear activity. The Collaboration has worked hard to create a voice for the UK’s nuclear regions that clearly communicates the capability and capacity of local supply chains, the potential of regional talent pipelines, and the social acceptance of nuclear in its regions. Over the past few years, it has contributed to sector-level strategies and responded to nuclear industry-wide consultations. It regularly brings together representatives from regional business clusters and supply chain organisations to share knowledge and best practice.

On Tuesday 28^th January, the Nuclear Regions Collaboration was relaunched in parallel to the Nuclear Industry Association’s Nuclear Week in Parliament 2025 during a reception at the House of Lords named ‘Unlocking the Power of the UK’s Nuclear Regions’.

Sponsored by Lord Inglewood, the event saw an update from Great British Nuclear, which was considered in the context of a panel discussion with industry representatives who have an influential role in delivering some of the UK’s most important nuclear programmes and attracting nuclear investment to our regions.

Midlands Nuclear, along with 7 other business cluster and supply chain organisations located across the UK’s nuclear region, attended the event and showcased the potential of the Midlands Nuclear cluster and appetite for collaboration that exists within our nuclear regions.

The panel was framed by two key questions: Do the UK’s current nuclear regions reflect the characteristics we would like to see within the nation’s nuclear future, and do you think our current nuclear regions are proud to be at the heart of the UK’s nuclear sector?

The panel engaged in an insightful discussion on community engagement, regional impact, and the strong local support for the STEP Fusion project at West Burton power station. Rachael Glaving (UK Business Development Director, EDF) shared fantastic insights into the project’s strong backing from the community.

As we enter 2025, the UK Nuclear Regions aims to highlight the on-the-ground experience and expertise of regional supply chains and communities and showcase how our nuclear regions are primed to welcome further nuclear investment across the lifecycle.

The Collaboration will also focus on how nuclear investment can transform local economies, not shying away from the fact that today’s nuclear sites and facilities are often located in geographically and economically peripheral regions of the UK, where some of the country’s deepest pockets of deprivation in the country sit starkly alongside some of highest earning communities in the UK.

To find out more about the UK Nuclear Regions Collaboration, keep your eye on our news updates and follow @Nuclear Regions Collaboration on Linkedin.

To find out more about the UK Nuclear Regions Collaboration, keep your eye on our news updates and follow @Nuclear Regions Collaboration on Linkedin.