A UK city is in for a huge boost as a £1.5billion nuclear reactor factory is to be built. The GatewayEast site selected by Small Modular Reactor (SMR) firm Holtec Britain is next to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport. Bosses are reportedly having discussions with the developer, Peel Land. The City of Doncaster Council has emphasised estimates that the factory will generate £1.8billion gross value added – including the £1.5billion from the proposed factory and £300million from professional engineering and technical services.
Moreover, officials claim it will create 3,600 construction jobs, more than 16,000 supply chain jobs, and 3,000 unionised engineering jobs over 20 years. It is thought that Holtec evaluated 13 regions across the UK, and chose South Yorkshire as its base to localise production in the region. Within South Yorkshire, GatewayEast outcompeted two other shortlisted sites, the council says. The project will be nationally significant and result in lower bills, Gareth Thomas, Director at Holtec Britain, has suggested.
He 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.
“We are proud to back Britain’s industrial base working with trade unions and UK industry partners.”
Earlier this year, pm Sir Keir Starmer pledged to put Britain back in the global race for nuclear energy, and to reform planning rules to make it easier to build SMRs in England and Wales.
Unlike traditional nuclear plants that are built on site, the reactors are smaller and can be made in factories with “off-the-shelf” components, ensuring the construction faster and less expensive.
The Prime Minister is expect to announce that the UK will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15billion in its warhead programme as the Government unveils its strategic defence review.
