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Today marks the midway point for Net Zero Week, an online conference and awareness campaign designed to get people talking about how we can collectively deliver on net zero.
Now in its fourth year, the conference sees over 300 speakers across the UK host virtual discussions, including representatives from energy companies and industry stakeholders.
Setting the net zero agenda
The awareness week provides a good opportunity to reflect on the bigger picture. Achieving net zero by 2050 is high on the agenda for the UK and regional governments, with significant investment and bold targets. This includes some interim measures:
Reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030
Reach net zero in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2050
Reach net zero in Scotland by 2045
Fully decarbonise the power system by 2035
By 2023, up to 50GW of offshore wind capacity
Capacity for 10GW of hydrogen production by 2030
Delivering on net zero
Across the engineering and energy sectors, businesses are united in recognising the need to innovate to develop more efficient low carbon alternative energy systems. Thanks to the resilience and continued appetite within the energy sector to develop more sustainable solutions, there is a great deal of innovation happening across the UK. Too many to list in this issue, but we take a look at a few areas of progress.
Advances over the year are now seeing wind turbines installed with increased capacity and new technology being developed such as small modular reactors. Rolls-Royce SMR announced in May that they will open a dedicated testing and manufacturing facility at the University of Sheffield’s Advance Manufacturing Research Centre. There the team will produce prototype modules to test the technology they are developing.
Arguably one of the most interesting innovations is carbon capture and storage, turning the carbon emissions challenge on its head by looking at how carbon output from heavy industry can be captured before it’s emitted into the atmosphere. Planning permission has been granted earlier this year for HyNet to construct a new pipeline that will transport carbon dioxide from future hydrogen production in the North West of England and North Wales for offshore storage. This includes re-utilisation of depleted oil and gas fields in the Bay of Liverpool for carbon storage.
Whilst construction plans for several battery energy storage systems (BESS) are underway to add flexibility into the grid’s electricity supply, storing power and releasing it back to the grid when needed to manage peaks in user demand.
Supporting our clients with the energy transition
In recent years we’re proud to have helped our clients bring to life major renewable energy and low carbon projects, whilst delivering our own innovations.
Advancing the UK offshore wind industry with supply chain resourcing solutions including fabrication and manufacturing
Delivering Major Component Exchange projects on wind turbines across Europe
Constructing the UK’s largest gigafactory facility for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries
Providing specialist Ultrasonic Qualification and Inspection services to help power up Hinkley Point C
Managing supplementary labour to construct Keadby 2, deemed the cleanest CCGT plant in Europe
Extending our expertise into Teesside to support net zero regional developments
Supporting the net zero supply chain
Net zero plans are also helping businesses across the construction and engineering sectors to diversify their product offerings and develop new expertise in renewable energy. From steel fabrication to cabling and IT technology, transferable skills and knowledge can be deployed to ensure businesses can benefit from new revenue streams as renewable and green energy projects are granted planning permission.
Looking for support extending your workforce to take on new business?
Our recruitment teams can provide a range of temporary and permanent staffing solutions to help you manage project timescales and increase manufacturing capability.
The latest net zero roles from NRL
Interested in making a career move to work in a net zero sector? Below you’ll find some our latest vacancy highlights.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER
Hartlepool, Permanent, £55,000 - £60,000 per annnum + benefits
We're working alongside a world class provider of subsea technologies and services to recruit for a Project Manager based in their facility in Hartlepool. With a further facility in Blyth currently in construction, our client’s goal is to support the delivery of the energy shift system needed for governments and society to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
QUALITY SUPERVISOR
Yeovil, Contract, £350 - £450 per day
Do you want to work for an international Energy Producer and Service Provider? Do you have experience within solar energy? NRL are very proud to be working with a company taking a leading role in the energy transition, Voltalia.They specialise in renewable energy solutions that help their clients join the global energy and ecological transition movement.
GENERAL OPERATIVE
Braintree, Contract, £20 per hour
We are recruiting on behalf of one of our large clients for aGeneral Operative working on a large EFW Plant based in Rivenhall. The role is to start as soon as possible and initially will run for 6 Months.
TEMPORARY WORKS SUPERVISOR
Braintree, Contract, £450 per day
Our client in the Energy from Waste sector are recruiting a Temporary Works Supervisor to join them on the boiler contract on a new facility. As the TW Supervisor you will ensure and be responsible for all temporary operations are planned, organised, and undertaken by competent persons.
TELEHANDLER
Essex, Contract, £24 per hour
Our client, a leader in Energy from Waste amongst other ventures, are now looking for a 360 Telehandler to support with their site based in Rivenhall. This work is available for an immediate start and will run initially for 6 months – but could be extended.
RIGGER / STEEL ERECTOR
UK (nationwide), Contract, £26 per hour
We are looking for Riggers to assist on our client’s projects. The roles will be working on EFW construction site and will be at least 6 months work. Starts are available immediately and up to and into July. With more roles available as the sites ramp over the next month or so.
CIVILS PROJECT ENGINEER
London, Permanent, £55,000 - £65,000 per annum
Partnering with a global engineering consultancy, NRL are looking to recruit a Civils biased Project Engineer on a permanent basis in London. This will be to work on the Sizewell C Nuclear New Build project and will involve 2-3 days in the London office per week.
Looking for more roles?
To view more renewable job opportunities, please click the link below:
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