Kier to develop fleet of next-gen nuclear reactors

The contractor is tasked with conducting a constructability assessment for a fleet of around 40 new Xe-100 Generation IV Advanced Reactors across the country, starting at Hartlepool on Teesside. 

It comes after Kier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the project with X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear and a grant from the Government’s Future Nuclear Enabling fund. 

The contractor will adopt similar approaches to delivery from studies in the US and Canada when forming the construction methodology. 

Each high-temperature gas-cooled ‘pebble bed’ reactor will be capable of producing 200MW of high temperature heat and steam for clean industrial applications as well as 80MW of electricity.  

Reactor construction time is currently expected to be between three to four years, owing to modules being prefabricated in factory conditions before being transported to site for assembly. 

“We have a strong track record of constructing and upgrading nuclear facilities and are committed to using our expertise to enable safe, sustainable and efficient construction while leaving lasting legacies through our work,” said Andrew Bradshaw, group MD for Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks. 

Carol Tansley, vice president, UK new build projects at X-energy, added: “Kier is a leading player in construction and infrastructure in the UK.  

“They are ideally placed to help us understand how best to capitalise on the work done in North America, including our first project which is already underway in Texas, and translate that into success in the UK market. 

“We intend to deliver a high quality project to cost, schedule, but also to bring benefits to the UK workforce and supply chain, starting at Hartlepool on Teesside.” 

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