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.

EDF confirmed that the Flamanville EPR has reached a major milestone, while planning a nearly year-long shutdown in 2026 for extensive regulatory inspections and key component replacement.
EDF is opening access to its long-term nuclear supply contracts to companies consuming more than 7 GWh per year, an adjustment driven by the gradual end of the Arenh mechanism.
South Korean authorities have approved the continued operation of the Kori 2 reactor for an additional eight years, marking a key milestone in the national nuclear strategy.
A public-private consortium is developing a 5 MW thermal microreactor designed to operate without refuelling for ten years, marking a strategic step in Brazil's nuclear innovation efforts.
EDF has announced that the Flamanville EPR reactor is now operating at 80% of its capacity. The target of reaching full output by the end of autumn remains confirmed by the utility.
The accelerated approval of the Aurora facility’s nuclear safety plan marks a strategic milestone in rebuilding a domestic nuclear fuel production line in the United States.
The Industrikraft consortium will invest SEK400mn ($42.2mn) to become a shareholder in Videberg Kraft, marking a new phase in Sweden’s nuclear project led by Vattenfall on the Värö Peninsula.
MVM Group has signed an agreement with Westinghouse to secure VVER-440 fuel supplies from 2028, reducing its reliance on Russia and strengthening nuclear cooperation between Budapest and Washington.
The delivery of nuclear fuel by Russian subsidiary TVEL to the Da Lat research reactor marks a key step in strengthening the nuclear commercial partnership between Moscow and Hanoi.
US supplier X-energy has formalised a graphite supply contract with Japan's Toyo Tanso for the construction of its first four small modular reactors, in partnership with Dow and backed by the US Department of Energy.
US-based Enveniam has signed an agreement with LIS Technologies Inc. to oversee the design and construction of a new laser-based uranium enrichment facility on American soil.
Faced with shorter approval timelines, several European nuclear firms, including Newcleo, Orano and Urenco, are considering relocating key industrial investments to the United States.
A consortium led by Swedish giants such as ABB, SSAB and Volvo will invest SEK400mn to support the development of small modular nuclear reactors through a strategic partnership with Vattenfall.
Russia and India are preparing an expanded agreement for the construction of VVER-1200 reactors and modular nuclear power plants, while accelerating work at the strategic Kudankulam site.
Fusion Fuel Cycles has begun work on its UNITY-2 facility, a unique test bench designed to validate the full tritium fuel cycle under fusion conditions, marking a key step toward fusion energy.
Framatome will produce TRISO fuel at Romans-sur-Isère as part of a pilot project for advanced nuclear reactors, in partnership with actors such as Blue Capsule Technology.
Sweden’s parliament has approved a major reform authorising uranium extraction, opening the door to a reassessment of the economic potential of mining projects containing this strategic mineral.
South Africa's regulator has authorised Koeberg Unit 2 to operate until 2045 following maintenance work and a long-term safety assessment.
French nuclear group Orano has confirmed the release of its representative in Niger, detained since May, as tensions remain high with the country’s junta over control of uranium assets.
EDF launches a sovereign digital platform to secure data exchanges between nuclear stakeholders, aiming to accelerate the construction of future EPR2 reactors.

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.