Nuclear industry worth £1bn

Scotland’s civil nuclear sector contributed £1 billion to GDP last year through its operating power stations and supply chain companies, a new study has revealed.

The research, compiled by Oxford Economics and commissioned by the Nuclear Industry Association trade body, also shows that while some 4,000 people are directly employed by the sector, more than 12,000 jobs are supported when its impact on the associated industries it buys goods and services from is factored in.

Both Ayrshire-based Hunterston and East Lothianbased Torness power stations are due to close by 2030.

Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “For the first time we have comprehensive data which shows the important role the civil nuclear sector plays in generating highly skilled and well paid jobs, making a significant contribution to the economy and supplying low carbon electricity to both keep the lights on and avert damaging carbon emissions.

“The nature of the nuclear sector means it creates wealth and prosperity across the country – supporting families and non-nuclear businesses in areas where traditionally jobs have been hard to come by.

“But, with both Hunterston and Torness due to close in the period up to 2030, not only will this economic benefit be lost, but the progress made on reducing emissions – which in 2016 was the equivalent of taking almost all the cars off roads in Scotland – will be lost.”

The study suggests that each nuclear sector employee contributes an average of £96,600 in gross value added (GVA) to the economy, 73 per cent higher than the UK average, “reflecting the highly-skilled nature of the workforce”.