Teesworks has secured a spot on the final shortlist of locations
to host Rolls-Royce’s first factory manufacturing parts for its
fleet of clean energy power stations.
The heavy pressure vessels factory will produce and assemble some
of the largest and most complex components of the Rolls-Royce for
its small modular reactor (SMR) power station.
The facility – representing a £100million to £200million
investment – will be around the size of three football pitches
and create more than 200 long-term, highly skilled roles. It will
have the capacity to generate enough low-carbon energy to power
one million homes.
It would also support the region’s net zero ambitions,
complementing projects already earmarked for the Teesworks site,
including the under-construction SeAH Wind Monopile manufacturing
plant, the bp-led Net Zero Teesside scheme and Circular Fuels’
renewable gas facility.
Tees Valley Mayor said: "It’s great news that
Teesworks is in the final running to become home to Rolls-Royce’s
SMR factory. The site is fast becoming the place to do business
in innovative net zero projects and this facility – helping to
drive forward clean energy power plants – would be a fantastic
fit.
“As major low-carbon projects in offshore wind, hydrogen and
carbon capture and storage continue to take shape at Teesworks,
we’re at the cutting edge of the sector. This means we’re
inevitably seeing further interest and opportunity from investors
keen to base themselves here and create more good-quality,
well-paid jobs.
“Whatever the outcome, this goes to show big businesses and
household names have their eyes on Teesside like never
before.”
Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive, Tom Samson, said: “I want to
thank everyone involved in the selection process and offer my
congratulations to the three that have made the final shortlist.
“This is part of the process to build the first of at least three
factories that will manufacture components for a fleet of small
modular reactors and will present an incredible opportunity for a
region of the UK. Our power stations will be built in British
factories situated in the north of England or Wales and will
generate tens of thousands of long-term highly skilled jobs -
accelerating regional economic growth.”
Teesworks is up against the International Advanced Manufacturing
Park (IAMP) in Sunderland and South Tyneside, and Gateway,
Deeside. A decision on the location will be made early next year
after final evaluations and detailed assessments are made against
the requirements and criteria for the factory.
A fleet of Rolls-Royce SMR power stations will increase the UK’s
energy security and support net zero targets by generating
low-carbon electricity from a sustainable source for generations
to come.
As the only SMR in Europe currently in the regulatory process,
there is also an enormous opportunity to export this British
technology around the globe.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Teesworks
Teesworks is the new name of the former South Tees Development
Corporation, the first Mayoral Development Corporation outside of
London. Teesworks is the UK’s largest Freeport and has been set
up to promote the economic growth and commercial development of
the Tees Valley by converting assets in the South Tees area into
opportunities for business investment and economic growth.
The Teesworks area covers approximately 4,500 acres of land to
the south of the River Tees, in the Borough of Redcar and
Cleveland, and includes former SSI steelworks site as well as
other industrial assets. The area benefits from river access and
includes the deep-water port of Teesport, England’s largest
exporting port.
Rolls-Royce SMR scheme
All of the initial responses will be retained and separate
selection processes will be run for the following two factory
locations (civils modules and MEP modules).
Rolls-Royce SMR will draw upon standard nuclear energy technology
that has been used in 400 reactors around the world.
The Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to
generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150
onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It
will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60
years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation
and overcome intermittency issues.
Facts on the HPV factory
- The Factory is expected to be around 23,000 SqM in size –
equivalent to 3 football pitches
- The factory has a value to the region of £100-200 million and
will create long-term high-skilled jobs
- The site will create 200+ permanent roles
