Teesside has made it to the final shortlist in the search for a site for a new £1.3 billion Small Modular Reactors (SMR) factory, a project with the potential to create 4,000 jobs.
Holtec Britain, the company behind the project, has shortlisted four locations to host the factory.
The factory aims to build up to four SMRs a year for deployment across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
If Teesside is chosen by the government, the 20-hectare factory could generate significant employment opportunities, with 3,600 jobs during the construction phase and 400 permanent positions once operational.
Earlier this year, local authorities and businesses were invited to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs), evaluated based on deliverability, connectivity, regeneration potential, skills and research capabilities, and quality of life.
Out of 13 initial participants, the four finalists are South Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP).
The government is expected to decide on the location later this year.
Holtec’s technology is among the six firms shortlisted by Great British Nuclear (GBN) for the nuclear reactor project, alongside EDF, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC, NuScale Power, Rolls Royce SMR, and Westinghouse Electric Company UK Limited.
Teesside has been highlighted for multiple SMR projects. Holtec’s proposed scheme could significantly boost the local economy, adding £100 million annually once operational.
Additionally, American power giant Westinghouse has selected the region to host four SMRs at Seal Sands, expected to come online in the early 2030s.
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Teesside was also shortlisted for Rolls Royce’s SMR project two years ago.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen expressed optimism about Teesside’s prospects: “We’re at the forefront of clean energy technology across Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool.
“This shortlisting shows how we’re truly the capital of growth for Small Modular Reactor technology.
“I’m confident we can convince Holtec we’re the premium site given our deep knowledge base in engineering, our great transport links via the Tees, and the huge potential we have at our Freeport.”
Economic analysis by consultancy Chamberlain Walker suggests that the planned factory could be part of an export market worth hundreds of billions leading up to 2050, contributing approximately £1.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the chosen site’s economy.
