Balfour Beatty and Holtec Britain have signed a memorandum of understanding for the planning advancement of new reactors in the UK
Balfour Beatty and Holtec Britain, a subsidiary of Holtec International, have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the planning advancement for the construction of Holtec’s SMR-160 pressurised light-water reactors in the UK.
Balfour Beatty will act as the main UK construction partner and collaborate with HDEC on the civil construction and installation of the mechanical, electrical and heating, ventilation and cooling systems as well as the equipment required for Holtec International’s innovative SMR-160 reactors.
Balfour Beatty and Holtec’s proposal could provide power equivalent to 1665 turbines
Once approved, the SMR-160 power plant units are poised to play a key role in the delivery of the UK Government’s Energy Security Strategy, targeting five gigawatts of clean electricity to the National Grid by 2050. A gigawatt is equivalent to 1 billion watts, or the power generated by 333 utility-scale wind turbines.
Stephen Tarr, chief executive officer for transport, energy & power major projects at Balfour Beatty, said: “We look forward to working with Holtec International to drive forward clean energy solutions. Our partnership will build on our long-standing experience and expertise in delivering nuclear projects and will ultimately support the UK’s transition towards a Net Zero future.”
Taking a multi-pronged approach to ensuring UK energy security
Dr. Richard M. Springman, senior vice president of international projects & executive committee member of Holtec International said: “The United Kingdom is at a turning point as it navigates through this energy crisis. The decisions made today will impact how future generations in the UK live and work, and the viability of its economy as a whole.
“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.”
Holtec International is planning to start the UK regulatory acceptance process of its SMR-160 reactors in 2023. If granted, construction of the first UK unit will start in early 2028.
