Nuclear research facility building complete at Rotherham's Advanced Manufacturing Park

The 22,300 sq ft unit at the Catcliffe site, overseen by the Harworth Group’s building delivery director David Elliott and built by Sheffield-based contractor JF Finnegan, comprises a ground-floor research laboratory and office accommodation split over two floors.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has taken a 20-year lease with Harworth for the building.

The new facility is being funded as part of the Government’s Nuclear Sector Deal delivered through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

An additional £2 million of investment came from Sheffield City Region’s Local Growth Fund, helping the UKAEA join other leading occupiers at the AMP including Rolls-Royce, Boeing, McLaren Automotive and the University of Sheffield’s AMRC and NAMRC.

Harworth say it further emphasises the park’s standing as being at the centre of high-value employment in the UK, forming part of the UK’s efforts to rebalance its economy.

The UKAEA will use the facility to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components such as novel metals and ceramics.

These will then be tested and evaluated under conditions simulating the inside of a nuclear fusion reactor, including high heat flux, in-vacuum, and strong magnetic fields.

This unique facility will help UK companies win contracts as part of ITER – the key international nuclear fusion research and engineering project being built in the south of France.

Looking further ahead, it will also enable technology development for the first fusion power plants, which are already being designed.

Wine deliveries by e-bike

The facility will also require regular supplies of specialist metals and materials, providing future opportunities for the North’s supply chain.

Damon Johnstone, head of UKAEA Yorkshire, said: “This is another key milestone for the new facility hit on time and I’m delighted with the quality of what Harworth and its contractors have delivered.

"The modern facility is a fitting base for fusion technology as we ramp up our efforts to enable the delivery of sustainable fusion power.

"Our focus is now on mobilising our operation so we can begin to build our team.”

Duncan Armstrong-Payne, associate director of major projects (Yorkshire & Central) at Harworth, added: “Delivering this unit on time and on budget despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the worst of the British weather shows Harworth at its best and we are delighted to formally welcome the UKAEA to the AMP.

"We will support the agency as strongly as we can to make their game-changing technology a reality to support the UK’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 target and have no doubt that their presence will attract parts of their supply chain to invest in

the AMP and Sheffield City Region’s economy over the next few years.”

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.