A new wave of nuclear power reactors is set to be constructed at the Hartlepool power station site, promising hundreds of jobs and a substantial economic uplift for the region. Energy companies Centrica and X-energy have entered into an agreement to install the 海角视频's first advanced modular reactors in Teesside once the existing nuclear reactor there is decommissioned in the coming years.
The firms stated that the new reactors could generate sufficient energy to power 1.5m homes, preserving jobs on the site and injecting millions into the local economy. The project would mark the first deployment in the 海角视频 of smaller, modular reactors which are faster to construct than traditional nuclear plants.
The plans propose the development of the new reactors at a site adjacent to Hartlepool's current nuclear power station, which is due to stop producing electricity in 2028. British company Centrica will provide initial funding for the project and is collaborating with American firm X-energy on the initiative.
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This project, potentially the first of several modular nuclear reactors across the 海角视频, has been announced ahead of President Trump's state visit to the 海角视频 later this week, with the Government hoping to announce a series of economic boosts for the nation. Additional nuclear projects in the Midlands and London are also being unveiled as the Government places its trust in nuclear power to aid Britain in the net zero age.
The Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy is expected to be signed during the president’s visit and will enable deals between US and 海角视频 companies. This should make it quicker for companies to build nuclear power stations by cutting red tape and workloads to speed up the time for projects to get a licence from around three or four years to roughly two. This will clear the way for a major expansion of nuclear projects in Britain as part of the Government’s drive to produce clean energy.
In addition to the Hartlepool scheme, Holtec, EDF and Tritax plan to develop advanced data centres at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire, powered by small modular reactors. And Last Energy and DP World plan to set up a micro-modular nuclear power plant backed by £80mn in private investment, which will provide a clean power supply for the expansion of DP World’s London Gateway port.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented: "For nearly 50 years, Hartlepool nuclear power plant has been a powerhouse for the North East – providing energy security, fuelling the economy, and supporting jobs for generations of hard-working British families. With the plant nearing the end of its life, this deal between Centrica and X-Energy could secure the next 50 years of clean, homegrown energy in the North East and marks the dawn of a new golden age for British nuclear.", reports .
"By teaming up to build 12 advanced modular reactors, Centrica and X-Energy intend to put Hartlepool at the cutting edge of nuclear innovation. Through these new advanced modular reactors, we could power up to 1.5 million homes, create 2,500 high-quality jobs, and unlock up to £12 billion into the North East."
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Centrica's CEO, Chris O'Shea, stated: "Centrica is proud to be at the forefront of Britain's clean energy transition - investing in infrastructure and jobs that meet today's energy needs while enabling tomorrow's ambitions. Our partnership with X-energy marks a bold step forward in delivering advanced nuclear technology that is not only scalable and secure, but also vital to clean industry and powering homes.
"The Xe-100 fleet will help build a resilient energy system that supports national security, affordability, and sustainability. From Sizewell C to Hartlepool, we are backing Britain's energy future - and building it."
Andrew Bowie, shadow minister of state for energy, said: “All these announcements are simply building on the strong legacy left by the previous Conservative government who kick-started the nuclear revolution in the 海角视频. However we would have gone bigger and quicker.”
Sam Richards, CEO of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said: “If the new ‘golden age’ for nuclear power is to mean anything, we need to slash the time it takes to get reactors from the drawing board to spades in the ground so that Britain’s industrial heartlands can once again thrive.”