NuScale to forge strong US-UK partnership with Sheffield Forgemasters

NuScale Power’s aim to build a UK-U.S. partnership has made significant steps forward.

Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd (SFIL) and NuScale are set to collaborate to develop the manufacturing techniques that will be required for the future deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the UK.

SFIL will forge a large civil nuclear reactor vessel head by the end of 2017, as part of a programme supported by Innovate UK, to develop forging and fabrication solutions for the nuclear industry.

NuScale Power is providing funding to support the use of the geometries required by its SMR design.

SFIL, which is the UK’s only large forgemaster, has a long history in manufacturing large steel components for heavy engineering and nuclear power applications.

Speaking today at ResPublica’s “Finding True North: Realising the Northern Powerhouse” conference in Manchester, NuScale Power’s managing director of UK and Europe, Tom Mundy said: “Our vision of seeing the NuScale SMR deployed in, and exported from, the UK can and will only be achieved in partnership with Britain’s renowned engineering and industrial base.

“Sheffield Forgemasters’ skill, expertise and heritage is known the world over. Working together now is I hope the starting point of a lasting relationship that will ultimately see UK-manufactured SMRs generating clean reliable power for the UK grid by the 2020s.”

Graham Honeyman, SFIL chief executive, added: “Small Modular Reactors could revolutionise the civil nuclear power industry, by creating more flexible power generation solutions.

“The efficient factory manufacture of major components will be crucial to seeing them deployed cost-effectively and Sheffield Forgemasters has an unparalleled track record in the production of civil nuclear forgings of this size.

“NuScale’s design is one of the most advanced in the world and this forging project will allow us to prove yet again that UK manufacturing is at the leading edge of global technological advancement.”

NuScale Power will be holding a Supplier Day at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Sheffield on 13 July aimed at giving UK-based engineering, manufacturing and construction companies the opportunity to learn about the company’s programme of work.

NuScale is also participating in the UK Government’s competition to choose the best value SMR, aimed at seeing SMRs deployed in the UK in the 2020s.

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