Small Modular Reactors could be built at North East sites
The Chancellor has signed off on £14.2 billion of investment to build the new Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk, but more importantly for the North East Rolls-Royce has been named as the preferred bidder to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in a programme backed by £2.5 billion of taxpayers’ cash.
Ms Reeves will use today’s spending review to allocate tens of billions of funding for major infrastructure projects over the rest of the decade.
Officials hope SMRs will be cheaper and quicker to build than traditional power plants, and projects could be connected to the grid by the mid-2030s.
Teesworks and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sunderland are among sites shortlisted by Rolls Royce as possible manufacturing sites.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is a welcome announcement which supports the future of our nuclear industry and I’ve always said it is vital that nuclear should be part of this country’s future energy supply.
“Our region is already an established centre of expertise for the nuclear industry. We are continuing to speak to a range of investors and look forward to bringing SMR technology to Teesside in the near future – supporting well-paid high-skilled jobs for local people.”
The Chancellor’s commitment to nuclear extends beyond the Sizewell and Rolls Royce announcements and is a big step forward towards realising plans for advanced modular reactors at Hartlepool and across the UK.
The government is already looking to provide a route for private sector-led advanced nuclear projects to be deployed in the UK, alongside investing £300m in developing the world’s first non-Russian supply of the advanced fuels needed to run them.
Alistair Black, Senior Director and UK Market Lead for X-energy, which aims to develop a 12-reactor power plant next to the existing Nuclear Power Station in Hartlepool, said: “Today’s Government funding commitment to Sizewell C and the selection of Rolls Royce SMR by Great British Energy – Nuclear represent a huge boost to UK nuclear industry. This ambition and commitment places nuclear at the heart of the UK’s future energy mix.
“We’re especially encouraged to see the restatement of HMG’s intent to provide a route for private sector-led advanced nuclear projects which can bring clean heat and power, inherent safety and scalability.
This follows its investment of £300m in developing the supply chain for the type of uranium we use in the TRISO-X fuel for our Xe-100 high temperature gas reactors.
“These are important next steps for innovation, long-term clean energy resilience, and industrial growth in the UK.
“We’re making strong progress with our UK deployment plans and we look forward to working with our strategic partners here to help realise the Government ambitions set out today.”
In her major policy announcement at the GMB union’s congress in Brighton, Ms Reeves said: “The UK is back where it belongs, taking the lead in the technologies of tomorrow.”
The SMR project could support up to 3,000 new skilled jobs, with a first site expected to be allocated later this year.
Hinkley Point C, in Somerset, is under construction and is expected to produce enough power for about six million homes when it opens, but that may not be until 2031.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We need new nuclear to deliver a golden age of clean energy abundance, because that is the only way to protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis.”