South Yorkshire nuclear centre at core of mini-reactor plans 10 years after Royal launch

Ten years after the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh donned virtual reality glasses to remotely launch construction, the Nuclear AMRC is today at the heart of plans to build up to 16 mini-nuclear plants in the UK.
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The research centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Catcliffe employs 150 engineers, researchers and support staff. It is poised to expand rapidly if ambitious plans for a new generation of ‘mini’ nuclear power plants gets the go ahead.

The prime minister is understood to be poised to announce at least £200m for the project as part of a long-delayed green plan for economic recovery. The government says new nuclear is essential if the UK is to meet its legal target of net zero emissions by 2050.

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The Nuclear AMRC is part of a consortium led by Rolls-Royce which says small modular reactors are an answer and aims to create 6,000 jobs in the Midlands and the North over the next five years.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh wearing virtual reality glasses at the Nuclear AMRC launch in November 2010.The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh wearing virtual reality glasses at the Nuclear AMRC launch in November 2010.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh wearing virtual reality glasses at the Nuclear AMRC launch in November 2010.

SMRs are designed to be produced as modules in factories and quickly assembled on site. Supporters say they are cheaper and quicker to build than traditional nuclear power plants.

Andrew Storer, chief executiver of the Nuclear AMRC, part of Sheffield University, said the net zero target presented a huge opportunity for Sheffield.

He added: “Manufacturers in and around Sheffield have been involved with the UK nuclear programme since the 1950s, but I think the Nuclear AMRC has really helped put the region at the heart of a new generation of low-carbon power.

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"The UK is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, which will require massive investment in electricity generation including new designs of reliable nuclear plant. This will be a huge opportunity for Sheffield."

Founding director Professor Keith Ridgway presents plans for the Nuclear AMRC facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in November 2010.Founding director Professor Keith Ridgway presents plans for the Nuclear AMRC facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in November 2010.
Founding director Professor Keith Ridgway presents plans for the Nuclear AMRC facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in November 2010.

Local companies such as Sheffield Forgemasters could provide key components for SMRs, he added. The Nuclear AMRC worked with Forgemasters to develop new forging, machining and welding techniques which can cut the time and cost of making SMR pressure vessels.

Separately, the centre also helped attract the UK Atomic Energy Authority to Rotherham. It has established a fusion - another type of nuclear power - research facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park.

It will employ 40 engineers who will work with local companies to develop metals and ceramics which can withstand the intense temperatures and magnetic fields of a fusion reactor.

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And the Nuclear AMRC is growing its activities outside the region, with a modular manufacturing facility at Cammell Laird's shipyard in Birkenhead, and construction due to start in 2021 on a facility in Derby.

Andrew Storer, chief executive officer of the Nuclear Advance Manufacturing Research Centre, at The University of SheffieldAndrew Storer, chief executive officer of the Nuclear Advance Manufacturing Research Centre, at The University of Sheffield
Andrew Storer, chief executive officer of the Nuclear Advance Manufacturing Research Centre, at The University of Sheffield

"Sheffield has seen a huge economic impact from bringing research centres together with industry, and other regions are looking to us as a model," Storer said.

"Our new facilities will help us fulfil our mission of helping manufacturers across the UK to win work, but Sheffield and Rotherham will always be our home. And with government support for a fleet of new nuclear plants to provide a large proportion of our clean energy for 2050, the next 10 years should be equally exciting."

How a small modular nuclear reactor might look.How a small modular nuclear reactor might look.
How a small modular nuclear reactor might look.

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