South Yorkshire embraces nuclear
Energy firm Holtec Britain has entered negotiations with Peel Land to build a factory on GatewayEast, next to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, just weeks after the government committed £30m to the reopening of the transport hub.
The nuclear energy company is a specialist in Small Modular Reactors and has operated in the UK for the last 30 years.
Set to be a major part of the drive to net zero, the SMRs would be built at the factory site at the rate of two a year, to be supplied to nuclear facilities across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, and the factory itself would not deal with nuclear fuel.
Having assessed 13 different regions across the UK, South Yorkshire made Holtec’s short-list of potential investment spots last year.
The selected location in GatewayEast offers up to 200 acres, and the factory is at the centre of Holtec’s UK investment plans.
Estimates say it will create 3,600 construction jobs, as well as 16,000 supply chain and 3,000 engineering jobs over the next 20 years.
Analysts from Bradshaw Advisory have estimated the factory could generate £1.8bn gross value added, including £1.5bn from the factory itself and £300m from professional engineering and technical services.
Gareth Thomas, director at Holtec Britain, said: “In Doncaster, Holtec’s plans for a new advanced manufacturing facility will create a new industrial renaissance for the nation.
“We are delivering tangible wins for the British economy – thousands of homegrown jobs, foreign direct investment, a new export market, the re-industrialisation of South Yorkshire, cementing US, UK, Korean and Japanese relations through our partners – all while lowering bills, and powering the economy through clean energy.
“With the reopening of Doncaster-Sheffield airport, we’re excited about the potential this site has to offer.
“Holtec is now finalising the factory business plan to support its Final Investment Decision.”
Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, added: “The GatewayEast development is the perfect location for Holtec Britain to build their new £1.5bn manufacturing facility.
“Not only will it create significant economic growth, but it will also deliver thousands of skilled, high-quality local jobs alongside developing supply chain opportunities and partnerships for our businesses.”
