Govt's green proposals 'could create construction jobs' - 26-06-2008 - 17:47

The government has put wind power at the core of its renewable energy strategy, which could spell good news for those looking for construction jobs.

John Hutton, secretary of state for business, has today unveiled plans to build 4,000 onshore wind turbines across the UK as it looks to meet European Union targets on generating energy from renewable sources, Building magazine reports.

Phased over 12 years, the government's green energy programme is expected to cost £100 billion and boost offshore generation by 3,000 per cent.

Mr Hutton told Building its goal of getting 15 per cent of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2020 is achievable if people in senior construction jobs act quickly.

"We are opening a new chapter in Britain's history as a nation of enterprise and innovation, moving from the old, carbon intensive economy of the industrial revolution to the new low carbon technologies of the 21st century," he added.

Meanwhile, The Sunderland Echo reported recently that plans to create offshore wind farms in the north-east of England could lead to engineering jobs in the area.

It is estimated as many as 39,000 jobs in total could become available, across various industries.

Planning application submitted for Powys windfarm - 19-03-2008 - 11:51

Powys county council has received an application for 12 wind turbines to be built in the county.

The application has been made by Accionia Energy UK at land which is to the east of Cwm Llinau.

Members of the public are invited to view the plans in Welshpool over the next week in order to look over the proposals as well as the environmental statement from the firm.

As well as the 12 turbines the company has made an application to build cable trenches, access tracks, crane hardstandings and temporary construction compound.

If the plans are accepted then it is expected to create construction jobs in the Powys area.

Accionia Energy UK is based in Newport and has also submitted planning applications to Neath Port Talbot county borough council for a wind farm which will have 14 wind turbines. The plans have been submitted following consultations and meetings with members of the public in June 2007.

Nuclear training facility set for Manchester - 25-02-2008 - 11:00

The University of Manchester is to open a £25 million facility which will prepare engineering, science and technology graduates for work in nuclear power plants.

Around 50 PhD and masters students will be taught at the Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology in its first year.

Dr Paul Haworth, head of research at the Dalton Nuclear Institute, of which the new facility will be connected with, said: "This country is at risk of losing expertise in key areas. The last nuclear power station to be built was Sizewell B in the 80s. A generation of engineers and scientists with 30 years of experience are due to retire in the next five years."

He added that there is a possibility that the all the skills and knowledge which has been built up over the last few years will be "lost".

Last month it was announced by the government that a new generation of ten nuclear power stations are to be built.

Although the reactors will be bought in from abroad, it is thought that the majority of the construction work will go to British companies.

EDF is reportedly the current favourite to build the power stations after it agreed a partnership with the UK group Amec.

Construction starts on hydrogen research centre - 24-01-2008 - 10:40

Building work has started on a Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Centre which will be the first of its kind in Wales.

The £1.7 million project will be looking into the use of hydrogen as a major fuel source for the country in the future.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, minister for the Economy and Transport, said: "It will help place Wales as a key centre for the development of alternative fuel technologies and a showcase for low or zero emission transportation systems. This additional facility will also make Baglan Energy Park a particularly attractive location for companies involved in renewable and sustainable technologies."

The centre is being developed by the University of Glamorgan in a partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council. It will be based on the Baglan Energy Park.

In related news, a £2.7 million testing site for renewable energy and fuel cell energy technologies storage techniques will be built in Fife in Scotland.

UK gives green light to nuclear power - 11-01-2008 - 10:58

The government has given the green light to plans for a new generation of nuclear plants to be built in the UK, in a move which could see construction and engineering jobs created.

Environmental campaigners have reacted angrily to the decision but the government has insisted that the new power stations will be vital to the country's long term future.

Business secretary John Hutton said: "The government believes it is in the public interest that new nuclear power stations should have a role to play in this country's future energy mix alongside other low-carbon sources, that it would be in the public interest to allow energy companies the option of investing in new nuclear power stations and that the government should take active steps to open up the way to the construction of new nuclear power stations."

The UK has been increasingly relying on imported energy and companies are now being encouraged to come forward with plans to construct and manage the new nuclear power plants.

Enrico Fermi first achieved nuclear fission in 1934, paving the way for nuclear power stations in the future.

EDF favourite to build new nuclear power stations - 31-12-2007 - 09:50

EDF is reportedly the favourite to win the construction contract for a new generation of nuclear power plants in Britain after it agreed a partnership with UK group Amec.

Four new nuclear power plants are set to be announced by the government in the next three weeks and EDF believes it has significantly improved its chances of building them after agreeing the deal with Amec.

An EDF spokesman said: "We expect the involvement of UK companies in any new build to be considerable, but it is too early to say precisely how many jobs will be created."

New plants are set to cost the government around £2 billion each but the consortium that builds them will receive no government money for construction.

The UK's first new nuclear power stations could be in use by 2017, according to EDF UK chief executive Vincent de Rivaz.

EDF energy currently employs over 12,000 people and is the largest energy supplier for London.

Construction of new wind farm to begin in the New Year - 17-12-2007 - 16:15

Construction is set to begin in the New Year on a new wind farm at Achany in Sutherland, after planning permission was granted for the scheme.

The 23-turbine wind farm will be constructed by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and is expected to be completed in 2010.

Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE, said: "I am pleased that the Achany wind farm has finally received consent, and we will work to ensure that the construction work at the site is carried out efficiently and professionally. We will seek to work in partnership with the local community throughout the construction period."

SSE is also currently seeking planning permission for seven other wind farms on different sites.

The Highland council originally was against the plans but withdrew its objections after an inquiry into the plans was conducted in August.

The Carbon Trust and the Energy Technologies Institute recently announced they are to invest £40 million into offshore wind research and development.