The freeport of Teesside and a business-park on the outskirts Birmingham were listed as potential locations for a plant that will build a next generation of mini nuclear power plants.
Holtec, a developer from the United States, announced on Tuesday that it had narrowed down its search to only 13 potential sites, after inviting bids in earlier this year.
It is looking for a place in the North of England to manufacture the components of nuclear small-modular reactors, which will be transported and assembled at the final destination.
Holtec has begun discussions with four local authorities to determine the options that have been shortlisted. The South Yorkshire combined authority presented three options, the West Midlands three more, Tees Valley six, and the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership only one.
Sites being considered include the Teesworks Industrial Park in Teesside; the Gateway East site adjacent to the Doncaster-Sheffield Airport; the Peddimore Development on the outskirts of Birmingham; and the Kingmoor Park Business Park in Carlisle.
Holtec’s adviser, Baroness Brown, an experienced UK engineer, has said that the company will now visit the sites to prepare for the final selection. She added: “The impact of the winning bidder on the local economies will be game-changing.”
Holtec expects that the construction of its SMR plant will create 3,600 permanent manufacturing jobs and 400 temporary ones.
The , which is part of a consortium including South Korea’s Hyundai Motor, plans to build SMRs at a rate of two per year starting in the early 2030s.
The UK will install up to 16 SMRs, with the rest being exported to its European neighbors.
Ben Houchen is the Tees Valley mayor. He said, “I’m delighted that my area has been included in the shortlist of Holtec’s groundbreaking project, which will bring significant jobs and investments.
Our region is leading the clean energy revolution, in which nuclear power will play an important role. We are committed to developing the area as a place for such major developments.
Oliver Coppard is South Yorkshire’s mayor. He added: “South Yorkshire cements its place as the UK’s leader in manufacturing small modular reactors, through partnerships with world-leading companies like Holtec.”
SMRs can be manufactured in factories, using production-line techniques. They are then assembled on the site to reduce costs and construction time.
They have not yet been tested as they are still in the testing phase.
They have received strong support from the Government, as they are a way to avoid the delays and cost overruns associated with large projects such as Hinkley Point C.
Holtec has developed an SMR which can cool in an emergency situation without the need for external power.
The Holtec 160 Megawatt reactor occupies six hectares, which is equivalent to 10 football fields. This makes it ideal for industrial sites.
Claire Coutinho (the Energy Secretary) awarded £30m to Florida-based company for the exploration of the technology last year.
It competes with competitors including UK champion Rolls-Royce, and American competitors General Electric & Westinghouse for the development of a working demonstration.
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