Exploration of the next generation of UK nuclear reactors will be led by Kier, X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear, following a grant from the government’s Future Nuclear Enabling fund
Kier have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cavendish Nuclear and American nuclear reactor design company X-energy to develop the next generation of UK nuclear reactors.
The trio will explore opportunities and potential deployment of a fleet of Xe-100 Generation IV advanced modular reactors in the UK.
The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund grant will be matched by X-energy
The government’s £3.34m grant will be matched by X-energy to a total of £6.68m, which will be used to explore UK-specific domestic manufacturing and supply chain opportunities.
X-energy is developing a Generation IV high-temperature gas-cooled pebble-bed nuclear reactor design, the Xe-100.
The MoU allows Kier to carry out the feasability assessment for the Xe-100, which can be partially construction in offsite modular factory conditions, reducing the construction time to three to four years.
Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear and Networks managing director Andrew Bradshaw said, “We have a strong track record of constructing and upgrading nuclear facilities and are committed to using our expertise to enable safe, sustainable and efficient construction while leaving lasting legacies through our work.”
Findings from the USA and Canadian deployment will inform UK nuclear reactor development
The Xe-100 can produce 200MW of high temperature heat and steam for clean industrial applications, as well of 80MW of electricity.
The ‘pebble’ fuel form will act as a containment vessel, which reduces the need for larger, complex safety structures. This means that the emergency planning zone is restricted to the site boundary, with more flexibility in where the reactor can be located.
The planned rollout will see 40 Xe-100s established across the UK
The MoU supports X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear’s supply chain development, with the companies seeking to have more than 80% of their project requirements met eventually by British companies.
X-energy vice president Carol Tansley, who oversees the company’s UK new build projects, said: “Kier is a leading player in construction and infrastructure in the UK. They are ideally placed to help us understand how best to capitalise on the work done in North America, including our first project which is already under way in Texas, and translate that into success in the UK market.
“We intend to deliver a high quality project to cost, schedule, but also to bring benefits to the UK workforce and supply chain, starting at Hartlepool on Teesside.”
X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear are proposing to develop a multi-billion pound 12-reactor plant at Hartlepool, to be ready by the early 2030s.
Mick Gornall, managing director of Cavendish Nuclear, a subsidiary of Babcock International, added: “A UK fleet of Xe-100 reactors would play a crucial role in delivering clean electricity and industrial decarbonisation and also bring huge opportunities for companies right across the UK. The MoU follows agreements with Howden and Sheffield Forgemasters and is an important step in establishing the best construction methodology for the UK, and the capabilities and capacity of the UK market to support it.”
