Holtec Britain, a finalist in the Great British Nuclear SMR competition, has selected Gateway-East, next to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, as the preferred location for its planned new UK factory. Holtec is now entering detailed negotiations with the developer, Peel Land. The decision was welcomed by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones, local Labour MP Lee Pitcher, and industry leaders.
After evaluating 13 regions across the UK, Holtec chose South Yorkshire as its base to localise production in the region. The location offers 80 hectares of development land adjacent to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport. Holtec’s decision came a few weeks after UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer confirmed £30m ($40m) to fund the reopening of the airport, which closed in 2022.
The planned factory will produce two small modular reactor (SMR) units annually, with half of the output slated for exports. Holtec’s SMR-300 is a pressurised water reactor (PWR) Holtec began developing its SMR in 2011. The SMR-300 has undergone several design evolutions, the most recent of which was the incorporation of forced flow capability overlayed on gravity-driven flow in the plant’s primary system. It is designed to produce 300 MWe or 1,050 MWt of heat for industrial applications.
Analysis from former government Green-Book economists at Bradshaw Advisory estimates the factory will generate £1.8bn (gross value added) including £1.5bn from the proposed factory and £300m from professional engineering and technical services relating to SMR deployment. It is also expected to create 3,600 construction jobs as well as more than 16,000 in the supply chain, and 3,000 unionised engineering jobs over 20 years.
Holtec says the new hub will give the UK “first mover advantage” in a new export market for SMR components. Holtec Britain aims to use 70% UK content in its nuclear, clean energy and defence programmes. Holtec has signed memorandums of understanding with South Yorkshire Combined Authority, Sheffield Forgemasters, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Holtec is also in discussions with the GMB, Prospect and Community unions.
“In Doncaster, Holtec’s plans for a new advanced manufacturing facility will create a new industrial renaissance for the nation,” said Gareth Thomas, Director of Holtec Britain. “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.”
Stephen Wild Managing Director, Peel Land, said Holtec’s decision confirming Gateway-East as their preferred location for future UK investment “marks a pivotal milestone in driving forward South Yorkshire’s Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone at Gateway-East, accelerating the delivery of high value jobs in Doncaster at the Innovation Quarter (IQ) site”.
