Jobs at Bower nuclear test rig could increase from eight up to 70, says company managing director
THE number of people employed at the Bower premises of a company which is playing a key role in the decommissioning of Dounreay could rise from eight to around 70. That was said by Peter Greenhalgh, the managing director of James Fisher Nuclear (JFN) at an open day event held this week.
He said the company – part of Nuclear Decommissioning Ltd (NDL) – has made "a significant investment" in the building which was previously run by Nicolson Engineering and houses the UK's first full-scale test rig which trials remote nuclear reactor segmentation operations. The premises also provide office space.
Mr Greenhalgh explained that JFN has test rigs at three other places in Britain – Egremont in Cumbria, Malton in north Yorkshire and Bamber Bridge outside Preston – but the Bower premises are the largest although not the highest.
"We employ eight people at the moment but could have the capacity to provide up to 70 skilled jobs here depending on the work flow. There are major opportunities in the decommissioning industry across the NDL estate for 40 to 50 years ahead," he said.
Mr Greenhalgh explained that before any equipment is deployed in a nuclear environment and prior to on-site commissioning a number of tests, mock trials and simulations are carried out to ensure the equipment can perform the job it is intended to do.
The test rig at Bower measures over 2000 metres and uses remotely controlled robotic equipment, specialist tools, cranes, virtual reality and decontamination techniques plus three camera control stations to undertake tests to help ensure the decommissioning of nuclear reactors can be carried out safely. Mock reactors are cut up in segments and put into containers remotely although, it was stressed, there is nothing radioactive at the site.

"It sounds simple but it is a complex operation. Everything is set up to mock what it is like in a reactor. In some cases the nuclear material has been there for 50 years and some old reactors have had bats inside them. It requires engineering and environmental studies to be carried out as well. It is not all about radioactivity," said Mr Greenhalgh.
He said: "We have made a significant investment in Bower and we are here to stay and support Caithness and the decommissioning programme at Dounreay."
Kayleigh Daniels, an NDL director, said the consortium comprises four companies – James Fisher Nuclear, REACT Engineering Ltd, Shepley Engineering Ltd and Tetra-Tech. Between them they have years of experience and expertise in the nuclear industry.
She said NDL was set up in 2019 to support decommissioning at Dounreay and to build a local presence in the area. It is co-located in the Bower rig hall.
Ms Daniels, who is part of the executive leadership team at REACT Engineering Limited, said Caithness has similar socio-economic problems to her native West Cumbria and said NDL is keen to "support Caithness needs as well."
She stressed the company wants to back the local supply chain, create employment opportunities for apprentices and university students and work with schools to encourage youngsters into engineering.
Mike Fawcett from Tetra Tech said the company has 25 years experience in the nuclear industry in operational support, decommissioning consultancy services, asset management and computer modelling as well as environmental assessment and the demolition of existing structures.
Iain Greaney, a decommissioning specialist with Shepley Engineering Ltd, said the company works in the nuclear and chemical process sectors covering installation and commissioning support. It is also involved in restoration projects and worked on the refurbishment of Big Ben at the House of Commons. The company employs 650 people.
The Bower building was purchased in 2018 but it was the summer of 2020 before work started on transforming it into a test rig facility.
James Fisher Nuclear held open days for clients and stakeholders on Tuesday and Wednesday and had pupils from Wick High school at the Bower site yesterday (Thursday). The feedback from the events was described as "very positive."