Sheffield Forgemasters collaborates with Holtec for SMR-160

Sheffield Forgemasters and Holtec Britain are collaborating on the development of components for the SMR-160 reactor. This collaboration will position Sheffield Forgemasters at the top of the supply chain for the manufacture of small modular reactors in the UK. SMRs offer enhanced security features and are deployable faster and at a lower cost.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

British manufacturer Sheffield Forgemasters has signed a collaboration agreement with Holtec Britain for the development of components for its SMR-160 reactor. This agreement will allow Sheffield Forgemasters to work on the design of Holtec’s SMR-160 components to identify the best manufacturing routes. This positions Sheffield Forgemasters at the top of the supply chain for the manufacture of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the UK. It is based on a long experience in supplying components for civil nuclear projects worldwide.

 

Components that reduce machining, assembly, welding and in-service inspection requirements

Dominic Ashmore, Head of Strategy and Business Development – Clean Energy at Sheffield Forgemasters, said, “We look forward to working closely with Holtec Britain on the SMR-160 designed reactor. This agreement completes a body of work we are undertaking for the UK’s future civil nuclear program, with SMRs being a key element, alongside larger nuclear power plants and the real possibility of fusion power. We will work with Holtec to jointly develop the design for manufacture and procurement specifications for specific forgings, with particular attention to providing components that reduce the machining, assembly, welding and in-service inspection requirements for these components.”

 

Safer and less expensive reactors

SMR power plants are considered a revolutionary development in the civil nuclear (fission) market and are designed on a much smaller scale than the ultra-large reactors commonly ordered (1000+ Mwe), so they are adaptable to energy needs.

Holtec’s Senior Vice President of International Projects and Executive Committee Member, Dr. Rick Springman, said, “SMR-160 small modular reactor power plants are designed to provide clean, reliable electricity around the clock from their absolutely safe reactors. Holtec is looking to deploy a fleet of SMR-160 plants in the UK to power nine million homes. We are excited to partner with Sheffield Forgemasters to develop more manufacturing routes for the key forgings required for this project.”

The modular nature of SMRs means they can be deployed more quickly and cost-effectively, and offer enhanced security features.

Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo has officially requested the extension of operations for reactors Almaraz I and II until 2030, challenging the original timeline for the shutdown of Spain’s nuclear fleet.
US-based Amentum has secured strategic roles on a 15-year decommissioning framework in the United Kingdom, potentially worth up to £1.4bn ($1.9bn), through multiple projects at the Sellafield site.
Finland’s Olkiluoto nuclear plant will receive a €90mn ($104mn) loan from the European Investment Bank to upgrade units I and II as part of a programme aiming to extend their operational lifespan.
Electrabel has entrusted Framatome with upgrading the control system of the Tihange 3 reactor, reinforcing Belgium’s nuclear extension strategy launched in 2023.
Hitachi joins Washington and Tokyo in strategic projects to modernise the US grid and back artificial intelligence expansion through nuclear and electrification investments.
NANO Nuclear restructures its Canadian operations under the name True North Nuclear to accelerate regulatory and industrial development of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor.
Cameco and Brookfield have signed a strategic agreement with the US government to build new Westinghouse reactors, a project valued at a minimum of $80bn, including an unprecedented public participation mechanism.
Talks are underway between Astana and Helsinki to consider the delivery of Kazakh uranium for Finnish nuclear power plants, amid efforts to diversify energy export markets.
NextEra Energy announces an agreement with Google to restart a nuclear plant in Iowa, with operations expected to resume as early as 2029 and full site ownership secured.
The environmental review of TerraPower’s Natrium project in Wyoming has been completed, paving the way for a construction permit for this advanced nuclear reactor.
Santee Cooper has selected Brookfield Asset Management to lead a feasibility study aimed at completing two unfinished AP1000 reactors, without relying on public funds or raising consumer rates.
Endesa, Iberdrola and Naturgy have officially requested the Spanish government to delay the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for 2028, reigniting the debate on nuclear power's role in the national energy mix.
The reactor vessel for Unit 1 at Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear plant has been delivered following a 20-day maritime transport from Saint Petersburg, marking a critical milestone in the country’s energy project.
Ontario Power Generation secures CAD3bn ($2.1bn) in public equity financing to construct four modular reactors at Darlington, aiming to ease private sector entry into next-generation nuclear infrastructure.
French developer Newcleo launches a joint venture with Nextchem through a EUR70 mn contract to design the conventional island of its upcoming 200 MW modular nuclear reactors.
NANO Nuclear strengthens its North American strategy by acquiring Global First Power in Canada, securing regulatory rights for its KRONOS MMR™ project at Chalk River.
South Korea becomes the first country to submit a safeguards technical report to the IAEA for a small modular reactor, setting a precedent for early integration of non-proliferation requirements in nuclear design.
The Environmental Authority criticises the lack of key data on health risks, chemical discharges and construction safety for EDF's two upcoming EPR2 reactors in Seine-Maritime.
Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.
US-based developer Last Energy will deploy its first domestic microreactor at Texas A&M-RELLIS, marking a strategic step in the advanced modular reactor race.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.