New Nuclear Future for Berkeley
Further to the announcement that South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS) is partnering with the Chiltern Vital Group (CVG)to deliver an international advanced Low Carbon Energy Park; Nuclear South West’s Andy Bates, who is on Secondment as the Western Gateway Nuclear Lead, shares his anticipation for this dynamic partnership venture.
62 years ago, commercial electricity generation commenced at Berkeley Power Station as the UK’s first Civil Nuclear power plant. Today marks an incredibly exciting announcement in the next phase of a legacy which already boasts a University Technical College specialising in the future economy sectors of cyber and engineering, and a Science Park which can list the Bloodhound Land Speed Record project amongst its short history of tenants.
Now, South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS) is embarking on a transformative journey in partnership with the Chiltern Vital Group (CVG). Chiltern Vital Group is an exciting and dynamic consortium including Vital Energi, University of Bristol and Rolls Royce SMR (Small Modular Reactors) - a group deeply invested in the future of modular nuclear reactors, whilst retaining SGS College as their key educational partner at Berkeley.
UK Government have made nuclear a central pillar of our future energy mix, with ambitions to deliver up to 24GW of capacity by 2050 and why the new arms-length body, Great British Nuclear recently published its roadmap for the deployment of 24GW of new nuclear power, together with a consultation on alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects.
Severn Edge, led by the Western Gateway economic partnership, and which incorporates the Technology Park at SGS Berkeley is right at the heart of this low carbon energy revolution and the future development of new nuclear in the UK. The duel site approach of Severn Edge, with 150ha of land that is nationally designated for nuclear development (EN-6) with existing assets & grid infrastructure at Oldbury, coupled with facilities to support low carbon & renewable energy technology at Berkeley, make it uniquely placed to support the Government’s aim of delivering 24GW of new nuclear capacity.
With the proposed future investment in the Technology Park at SGS Berkeley, Severn Edge is ready to be a trailblazer for the development of a low carbon energy super cluster at the heart of the Western Gateway region.
This consortium's involvement signifies a major stride in advancing the field of nuclear energy, particularly focusing on the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
CVG clearly see this as an opportunity of international importance and as Chairman Chris Turner explains “This is the first step in the creation of a Severn Edge (Berkeley/Oldbury) zero carbon axis embracing a wide range of advanced technologies, including the potential for deployment of new nuclear generation technology such as SMRs at Oldbury”.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Vice-Chair of the Western Gateway and Leader of Gloucestershire County Council said:
‘It’s great to see our vision for a Severn Edge low carbon energy campus at Berkeley and Oldbury moving one step closer with this nuclear innovation opportunity.
"We want to see our Severn Edge sites creating new green jobs and skills opportunities for local communities whilst also providing the low carbon energy we need to power our economy. I look forward to working with the consortium as we continue to make the case for this area to lead a clean energy revolution for the country."
Severn Edge now has a consortium which could deliver the UK’s first research reactor in a generation and has access to a supply-chain encompassing more than 12,000 nuclear sector businesses across the Western Gateway; ready to engage and transition the UK nuclear industry beyond Hinkley Point C technology and into a new world of small and advanced modular reactor technologies.
