Scotland is to become the European centre of excellence in the training of a new generation of nuclear engineers, technicians and researchers.
A state-of-the-art research and development facility at Strathclyde University, in partnership with British Energy, will aim to find improved means of creating nuclear power stations as well as prolonging the life and increasing the safety of existing facilities.
With its attractive status among European funding bodies - and generous tax breaks - the £4m academic hub in Glasgow is recognised by British Energy as "good value for money", and is being regarded as the company's de facto research and development wing.
A simulator replicating every nuance of a power plant will be used by engineering students and the university is planning an international masters programme.
The development signals a confident stance from British Energy, particularly on the nuclear front, given the delays to the government's energy white paper. In time, it hopes to introduce four more simulators, including models specifically tailored as nuclear stations, into an enlarged campus in Glasgow city centre.
Representatives from the university and British Energy, along with visitors from Rolls-Royce, ScottishPower and economists, were given an opportunity yesterday to see the working simulator, developed over the past 12 months by US company, GSE Systems.
Of the "strategic alliance" between Strathclyde and British Energy, Professor Jim McDonald, deputy principal, said: "There's no one winner in the energy game. We must see today's development in a broad energy context, nationally and internationally.
"This underlines Scotland's reputation as a world-leader in nuclear and power engineering and training."
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