Rolls-Royce SMR has announced the establishment of a multi-million pound facility in Sheffield, UK, dedicated to manufacturing and testing prototype modules for its small modular reactors (SMRs). The new facility, located within the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s Factory 2050, will produce working prototypes of the modules that will eventually be assembled into complete Rolls-Royce SMR power plants.
The first phase of the project, valued at £2.7 million, is part of a larger £15+ million initiative designed to mitigate risks and strengthen the Rolls-Royce SMR programme. This modular approach, while unique within the nuclear industry, is widely used and proven in the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors.
This initiative marks the UK’s first home-grown nuclear technology development in over a generation. Rolls-Royce SMR aims to deploy a fleet of these factory-built nuclear power plants domestically and internationally, contributing significantly to the global clean energy transition.
Victoria Scott, Chief Manufacturing Engineer at Rolls-Royce SMR, emphasized the significance of this investment: “Our investment in setting up this facility and building prototype modules is another significant milestone for our business. Our factories will produce hundreds of prefabricated and pre-tested modules ready for assembly on site. This facility will allow us to refine our production, testing, and digital approach to manufacturing—helping de-risk our programme and ensure we increase our delivery certainty.”
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, highlighted the strategic importance of SMRs: “Small Modular Reactors are the future of nuclear technology, and key to quadrupling the UK’s nuclear capacity by 2050 as part of the biggest expansion in 70 years. This multi-million-pound SMR manufacturing facility will be fantastic for Sheffield—making the Steel City once again the home to world-leading industry.”
Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, expressed pride in the collaboration: “We are very proud that Rolls-Royce SMR has chosen to base its Module Development Facility at our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s Factory 2050. Today’s announcement is a testament to the University’s strengths in clean energy research and innovation, and our unrivalled expertise in developing leading-edge manufacturing techniques. We welcome this significant commitment from Rolls-Royce SMR to our ongoing partnership and the South Yorkshire region.”
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard added: “This announcement cements South Yorkshire’s position as the leading place to build small modular reactors, a cutting-edge technology which will be a key part of the global transition to clean energy. It is also a sign of real confidence in our region’s world-leading advanced manufacturing innovation district which is helping us to create a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire. South Yorkshire is proud to be the home of the largest Clean Tech cluster in the UK, with specialisms in nuclear tech, hydrogen, and aviation fuels. Being chosen as the home of the new Rolls-Royce SMR Module Development Facility further enhances our region’s reputation as the best place for Clean Tech in the UK and puts us at the forefront of creating a greener future for the UK and beyond.”
Rolls-Royce SMR’s innovative approach to nuclear power, leveraging proven technology, aims to deliver factory-built nuclear power stations capable of providing enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for over 60 years.