April 12, 2024
British engineering group, Babcock, has been granted a multimillion-pound investment by the UK government to build a fleet of mini nuclear reactors in Hartlepool, North East of England.
The construction project will take place over the next ten years, with X-Energy and Cavendish Nuclear, both owned by the Babcock group, undertaking the development of advanced nuclear power plants known as small modular reactors (SMRs).
The companies won £3.34 million in funding from the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund, with X-Energy matching this investment.
The plans for the mini-nuclear reactors are set to provide cheaper green energy than large-scale sites, and if feasible, the mini-nukes will be partly built in factories and constructed in large numbers.
X-Energy and Cavendish Nuclear plan to build a 12-reactor nuclear plant at the Hartlepool site. The company aims to develop a fleet of mini nuclear reactors, which they call Xe-100s, with the aim of providing content power while working towards decarbonisation targets.
The plans are expected to generate thousands of high-quality and long term jobs in the UK.
Managing director of Cavendish Nuclear, Mick Gornall claimed their goal ultimately is to develop “a fleet” of such reactors, which the company calls Xe-100s.
He said: “A fleet of Xe-100s can complement renewables by providing constant or flexible power and produce steam to decarbonise industry and manufacture hydrogen and synthetic transport fuels. Deployment in the UK will create thousands of high-quality, long-term jobs across the country.”
Andrew Bowie, the minister for nuclear and renewables, said innovation was key to building out the sector, as he awarded the new funding.
Great British Nuclear, the public body charged with preparing the way for a “nuclear renaissance”, last month delayed its decision on where the first mini-nukes will be sited until after the next general election, amid fears the losers may threaten legal action.
It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the UK government will invest more than £200 million in the nuclear industry over the next decade. Additional funds of up to £550 million aim to boost the UK’s energy security and national security in nuclear energy.
