THE success of the South West’s nuclear industry can play a pivotal role UK growth, according to Lord Hutton, chair of the Nuclear Industry Association.

Former Business Secretary John Hutton outlined opportunities and challenges facing the sector at Nuclear South West’s annual conference in Somerset.

He told delegates that the major construction activity taking place at Hinkley Point C will be followed by further new build projects elsewhere in the UK.

Lord Hutton added this could unlock billions in new investment and create 12,000 jobs.

He added: “Hinkley is the start of an exciting new era for the nuclear industry and will be followed by further projects across the country.

“These will inevitably provide major opportunities for UK industry, particularly for companies that get in early. Nuclear South West can play an important role in helping them do this, and therefore in supporting growth and jobs right across the South West.”

Speaking of progress at Hinkley Point C, the conference heard the construction project employs 3,200 people on site and had awarded projects worth £1.3bn in the South West alone, supporting industry, local jobs and skills.

Lord Hutton also spoke of the importance of the £200m Nuclear Sector Deal agreed with government, which paves the way for major new investment and further job creation.

He said: “The publication of the sector deal has been an important step for our industry and one for which we have worked intensively with government over many months.

“But publication is not the final act. What we need to do now is to effectively implement the deal so the ambitious proposals it contains can be brought to fruition.

“This will require a great deal of work across all the key areas.”

Matt Burley, chairman of Nuclear South West, added: “The industry has many reasons to be confident and optimistic about its future, thanks to the work taking place to sustain its growth.”