- The University of Sheffield and Rolls-Royce SMR are setting up a multi-million pound manufacturing and testing facility in South Yorkshire
- Based in the University of Sheffield AMRC's Factory 2050, the new facility will produce prototype modules for small modular reactors (SMRs)
- New facility will help de-risk and underpin the Rolls-Royce SMR programme that aims to deploy a fleet of factory-built nuclear power plants in the UK and across the world
- SMRs are seen as a clean energy source that are easier to scale and more affordable than building larger nuclear power plants. Each Rolls-Royce SMR could provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years
Rolls-Royce SMR is partnering with the University of Sheffield to launch a major new manufacturing and testing facility in South Yorkshire.
The Rolls-Royce SMR Module Development Facility (MDF), which will be housed in the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's existing Factory 2050, is set to manufacture and test prototype modules for small modular reactors (SMRs)
The first phase, announced today, is worth £2.7 million and will be part of a wider £15+ million package of work that will further de-risk and underpin the Rolls-Royce SMR programme.
SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that are designed to be factory-built and transported to operational sites for installation. The technology is seen as a clean energy solution that is easier to deliver, scale and is more affordable than building new larger nuclear power stations. Each Rolls-Royce SMR could provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years.
The new facility at the University of Sheffield AMRC will produce working prototypes of individual modules that will be assembled into Rolls-Royce SMR power plants.
The Rolls-Royce SMR programme is UK's first home-grown nuclear technology for over a generation and today's announcement is another vital step towards deploying a fleet of factory-built nuclear power plants in the UK and around the globe.
Victoria Scott, Rolls-Royce SMR's Chief Manufacturing Engineer, said: "Our investment in setting up this facility and building prototype modules is another significant milestone for our business.
"Our factories will produce hundreds of prefabricated and pre-tested modules ready for assembly on site. This facility will allow us to refine our production, testing and digital approach to manufacturing - helping de-risk our programme and ensure we increase our delivery certainty."
