South Yorkshire has been named as the chosen site to host the UK's inaugural factory solely focused on the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs), a move hailed as a major success for both the region's economy and the country's nuclear sector. Holtec, a privately owned nuclear company with its headquarters in Florida, made the decision to establish the £1.5 billion facility in South Yorkshire following a thorough consideration of various locations throughout the UK, including the West Midlands, Cumbria, and Teesside.
The factory, which is expected to generate around 3,000 advanced job opportunities, will be responsible for manufacturing components essential for SMRs—a technology that could play a pivotal role in the UK's planned resurgence in nuclear power. Gareth Thomas, the Director of Holtec Britain, expressed their satisfaction with the overwhelming support and interest shown for the new SMR plant across the UK, with South Yorkshire emerging as the preferred choice due to the strong backing received from local authorities and its competitive advantages over other potential locations. The company is currently evaluating multiple sites within the county, with areas surrounding the city of Doncaster being among the options under consideration.
South Yorkshire was found to offer Holtec practical advantages, such as its proximity to Sheffield Forgemasters, a specialist in producing intricate castings needed for reactor housings, and a highly skilled workforce deeply entrenched in heavy engineering traditions. The Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, highlighted the region's rich legacy of innovation and engineering excellence as the foundation for establishing cutting-edge facilities, expertise, and skills that will drive the transition to clean energy not only within the UK but also on a global scale. Indicating a focus on new nuclear technologies, hydrogen, and sustainable aviation sectors, Coppard expressed pride in the region being home to the UK's largest cleantech sector.