Balfour Beatty has revealed outline plans to construct a series of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) on behalf of a leading energy industry supplier.
by Rory Butler / December 20, 2022
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The firm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Holtec International subsidiary, Holtec Britain, supporting its intention to build SMR-160 pressurised light-water reactors in the UK.
Hyundai Engineering and Construction (HDEC) will collaborate with Balfour on all civils works and installation of MEHVC systems, but Balfour will act as the main UK construction partner.
Holtec will start the UK regulatory acceptance process of its SMR-160 reactors in 2023.
If granted, construction of the first UK unit will commence in 2028.
The UK Government’s Energy Security Strategy is targeting five gigawatts of clean electricity to the National Grid by 2050.
“The decisions made today will impact how future generations in the UK live and work, and the viability of its economy as a whole,” said Dr Richard M. Springman, Senior Vice President of International Projects & Executive Committee Member of Holtec International.
“I believe it will need multiple, complementary nuclear power plant designs based on proven Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) technology already operating in the United Kingdom to assure carbon-free energy security ten years from now; and we have to start now.”
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