Sheffield Forgemasters has joined a group of companies engaged in supplying large-scale gigawatt nuclear projects in the UK.
To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed outlining the Company’s intent to supply Sizewell C. Through the agreement, Sheffield Forgemasters will provide specialist qualification components for the project with potential longer term opportunities for collaboration on future European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) projects in the UK.
Through this new partnership, Sheffield Forgemasters will join the Sizewell C Consortium, an organization of more than 200 companies in the nuclear and construction supply chain that is preparing to mobilize to Sizewell C as construction on Hinkley Point C draws to a close.
This would build on three previous MoUs signed by the Sizewell C Consortium with Wales, Northern England and Eastern England, which are expected to put more than £7.2 billion into the supply chain and create 70,000 jobs during the construction of Sizewell C. .
In a statement, David Bond, CEO of Sheffield Forgemasterscommented† “Joining the Sizewell C Consortium marks a positive step forward for our business, uniting two strategically important industries at the forefront of driving clean energy growth opportunities for the UK.
“We will be producing qualifying components to join the supply chain for Sizewell C with the ultimate goal of supplying components for construction. If we can secure supplies to the UK’s nuclear fleet, we can continue to invest in our workforce, provide local highly skilled jobs and bring the UK fleet’s nuclear production back ashore.”
The announcement is expected to boost the UK steel industry, which is under pressure from international competition and high domestic costs.
Cameron Gilmour, spokesperson for the Sizewell C Consortiumsaid: “We are delighted to welcome Sheffield Forgemasters to the Sizewell C Consortium. With a long history of supporting the construction of UK infrastructure, their knowledge and expertise will be valuable in boosting our ability to build new large-scale nuclear installations. deliver, with Sizewell C being the next project in line.”
