Severn Edge sites potential home for new SMR technology
Oldbury (South Gloucestershire) and Berkeley (Gloucestershire) have been prioritised by Rolls Royce as potential sites for the development of new small modular nuclear reactors (SMR).
Rolls-Royce SMR, supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), has successfully completed a siting assessment review into the potential options for deploying Rolls-Royce SMR power stations.
The company has identified four potential sites for these new reactors including: Oldbury, Trawsfynydd, Sellafield and Wylfa.
Oldbury was recently part of the twin site Western Gateway Severn Edge bid to bring the UK’s first Fusion plant to the area. The other site in that bid, Berkeley was also named as a site which could house 4-6 SMRs (total maximum potential of 3GW) but requires further investigation potential.
It has been suggested that each Rolls-Royce SMR would create enough low carbon energy to power a million homes for 60 years.
The announcement follows initial conversations with Rolls Royce and builds on the strengths of the Severn Edge campaign.
Katherine Bennett CBE, Chair of the Western Gateway Partnership, said: “Great to see both of our Severn Edge sites, Oldbury and Berkeley being considered as part of the Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor programme. Through our Fusion bid, we’ve been working to raise the profile of our area, leverage the great skills we have and create opportunities for local people in England and Wales and it’s testament to the success of that campaign that we are continuing to see new opportunities appear.
“The UK SMR programme is estimated to bring 40,000 jobs to England and Wales and it’s great to see Western Gateway being considered as part of that. We are confident that both Oldbury and Berkeley can provide unique access to a highly skilled workforce, a supportive community and a chance to level up areas of England and Wales.
“This is part of the wider work the Western Gateway is doing to promote the area as a centre for low carbon energy to help drive national efforts to reach Net Zero. We look forward to continuing our work with partners to make sure we find the best possible options for these sites.”
More details can be found on the Rolls Royce website.