Oldbury and Berkeley Green, located in Gloucestershire, has emerged as key sites for the future of nuclear energy, particularly through the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). According to Simon Bowen, the chair of Great British Nuclear, the strategic land next to two decommissioned nuclear sites holds immense potential for the South West Regional nuclear hub.
During a recent question and answer session with Ian Mean from Business West, Bowen elaborated on the government’s decision to purchase land from Hitachi for £160 million last March. He expressed excitement about opportunities stemming from this purchase: "There is a massive opportunity now with us purchasing Oldbury, and the separate Berkeley project nearby, and all the work Western Gateway has done with the Severn Edge project.”
SMRs, characterized by their smaller scale compared to traditional reactors, can have power capacities of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, delivering significant power generation with potentially shorter setup times. Bowen emphasized the acceptance of nuclear power within the region, noting how it can provide high-quality jobs across various sectors, including engineering and defense.
"Nuclear is well accepted in the region. What people really like about it is the high quality of the jobs – at Barnwood in Gloucester, EDF’s new centre for engineering at Aztec West, and all the work in defence at Abbey Wood,” he commented. The existing local infrastructure, along with connections to educational institutions like the University Technical College and organizations like GCHQ, creates synergy for future developments.
According to Bowen, Oldbury had been identified as one of four priority sites by Rolls-Royce SMR when it advanced its plans for small modular reactors back in 2022, with Berkeley also featured as a potential site. He stated, “This is still very much in the planning stage. I have made no secret of the fact I think Oldbury is an absolute prime site for SMRs. How much will it pan out? It is a site may cope with four, five or six SMRs.”
The timeline for SMR establishment is still indefinite, as concrete plans are expected to be revealed this coming spring, facing multiple hurdles, including negotiations with several prospective vendors such as GE-Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse. Bowen highlighted their credibility as technology providers with the potential to significantly contribute to the local supply chain, stating: "No matter which are successful, the UK will not only benefit from GDP growth but there is real potential as a base for export.”
Investment expectations for the Gloucestershire regions surrounding the sites are enormous, with projections claiming funding will be measured in the tens of billions. Economic forecasts also suggest this investment may lead to the creation of between 5,000 and 6,000 skilled jobs. Bowen underlined the importance of such investments not only for immediate economic impacts but also for long-term infrastructure benefits, asserting: "the infrastructure put in place will last for 60-80 years and possibly longer.”
The progressive plans for Oldbury and Berkeley Green stand at the forefront of the UK's challenge to expand its nuclear energy capabilities responsibly and effectively, as the nation seeks to diversify its energy sources and address the persistent energy demands of its populace.