The UK economy could receive a £30 billion boost, creating thousands of highly skilled new jobs, through the building of new nuclear power stations, according to a report.
US engineering giant Westinghouse published new research showing that construction and supply firms across the country would win valuable work if new reactors were given the go-ahead.
The company's UK vice president David Powell told a fringe meeting at the Labour conference in Manchester there would be "massive opportunities" for communities across Britain for decades to come.
Westinghouse said its AP1000 nuclear reactor could help deliver more than £30 billion to the economy - half through construction of new sites, a third from operating the plants and the rest from servicing.
"Through our 'Buy Where We Build' strategy we can make maximum use of the local supply chain and that creates opportunities for everyone," he said.
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks told the meeting that the public recognised the case for building new nuclear power stations to help tackle global warming and improve the UK's security of energy supply.
"We need to have as much home-grown energy as possible rather than be over-dependent on imports and most people accept the need for new nuclear."
Mr Wicks said it was important to source work and the jobs in the UK to retain public support and added that he expected other companies to come forward with proposals.
Union leaders backed the Westinghouse report and said thousands of jobs could be created.
Dougie Rooney, national officer of Unite, said 10,000 highly skilled engineering jobs could be created through the building of new nuclear power stations. With thousands of people losing their jobs in the current financial crisis, nuclear power could create opportunities to help cushion the blow of so many jobs being cut, he said.