Monday, 16 September 2024, Holtec Britain signed a formal cooperation pact with leading engineers and scientists at the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to support the manufacturing and testing of its Small Modular Reactor SMR-300.

Holtec is preparing to invest into the UK industrial ecosystem. Holtec has been active in the UK for more than 15 years, working across EDF reactors. The agreement is further demonstration of the company’s long term commitment to the UK domestic market, which will also be its hub for exports to the European market.

The ‘Cooperation on SMR-300 Advanced Manufacturing Technology’ agreement states that both parties will work together to find the best manufacturing processes and solutions for Holtec’s PWR SMR-300. MTC will leverage their expertise to explore innovative manufacturing processes for a future testing phase and both parties will work collaboratively from proof of concept to final installation, training and support after project completion.

Holtec and MTC Signing MoU. Pictured, from left, Gerry McFall (Bradshaw Advisory), Gareth Thomas (Holtec), Liam  Hill (MTC), Matt Kite (MTC).

Holtec’s impressive project team already includes Balfour Beatty, Mitsubishi Electric, Mott MacDonald and Hyundai E&C – the major South Korean construction company who has delivered 18 nuclear plants in South Korea.

The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK and is widely respected as a leading research and technology organisation.

Gareth Thomas, Director at Holtec Britain said: 

“Our MoU with the world class MTC is a landmark moment for Holtec Britain as we commit to build on our historic UK nuclear history and use this SMR moment to grow jobs with a fully integrated UK supply chain. Holtec’s desire to collaborate and draw on the expertise of top engineers, scientists and technicians across the US, Korea and UK is what sets us apart. The MTC is a cutting-edge organisation and one that we are honoured to work with. The talent, skill and ambition of their people will bolster our efforts as we drive forward in our goal to support the UK’s clean energy and growth missions.”

Andrew Bowfield, Senior Business Development Manager at MTC, said: 

“Next-generation civil nuclear power provides a golden opportunity for the UK to secure a strategic advantage in a global marketplace. But developing new manufacturing capabilities is vital so that nascent technologies, such as SMRs, can be commercialised and deliver the efficiencies promised. Through our partnership with Holtec, not only will we deliver the innovations needed by one company, but also support end-to-end supply chain development to help anchor this growth sector in the UK.”

In December last year Hotec was awarded £30m from the UK’s Future Nuclear Enabling Fund to progress its Pressurised Water Reactor SMR design through the UK ‘Generic Design Assessment’ process. Last month ‘Step 1’ of the GDA process was completed in record time.

Holtec’s is planning UK investment into a potential UK SMR factory estimated to generate 3,000 engineering jobs over the next 20 years and downstream generating £1.3billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy.

For more information, please visit Holtec Britain.