A new major nuclear production facility has been opened in North Wales by Boccard, an international engineering, manufacturing, construction and maintenance company based in Lyon, France.
The new facility will create over 200 permanent positions and provide a major boost to the Deeside region and further afield. It will support the development of nuclear sites like Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C and potentially a new NPP or small modular reactors (SMRs) at Wylfa on Anglesey in the future.
Boccard Chairman Bruno Boccard said: “Our new facility in North Wales is a milestone in our century-long history and part of our broader European expansion. Our ambition is to be a driving force in the UK’s nuclear renaissance, while supporting the country’s decarbonisation and energy sovereignty goals.”
He added: “The UK government’s historic support marks a turning point for the nuclear sector, shifting focus to building a world-class supply chain and attracting top talent. As a leading manufacturer, we look forward to sharing best practices and collaborating to create a nuclear hub in North Wales and across the UK.”
Hinkley Point C CEO Stuart Crooks said: “Boccard’s new investment in North Wales is a prime example of the way nuclear is creating new industrial capacity in Britain…. The new factory means that more work for Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will happen in the UK, putting skills in place to benefit both existing and future nuclear projects.”
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “The opening of Boccard’s new nuclear components manufacturing facility in Deeside clearly signals that Wales is strategically placed to play a central role in the future nuclear supply chain. With a rapidly growing skilled workforce and the presence of major suppliers like Boccard, North Wales is primed to attract further investment into this expanding sector and unlock significant growth for the Welsh economy.” She noted that Boccard’s new manufacturing facility is backed by more than £1m ($1.34m) in Welsh Government funding.
UK Government Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This new manufacturing facility demonstrates the benefits that nuclear power can bring to every corner of the country – building up British supply chains and creating jobs and economic growth.”
See also: Last Energy plans Welsh microreactors
