Jill Mortimer celebrates Hartlepool moving another step closer to new nuclear
A proposed nuclear reactor plant at Hartlepool has moved a step closer after the company proposing the project was awarded multi-million-pound funding from the UK Government’s Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF).
The £3.34m award from the Conservative Government will be matched by X-energy, the international nuclear reactor and fuel design organisation, for a total programme of £6.68m centred on further development of plans for Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) in the UK.
X-energy and UK deployment partner Cavendish Nuclear propose to develop a 12-reactor plant next to the existing Nuclear Power Station in Hartlepool by the early 2030s and the FNEF funding strengthens those plans.
Those will include an assessment of domestic manufacturing and supply chain opportunities.
The proposed development will include an Advanced Modular Reactor, as part of X-energy’s ambition to provide clean power to the grid and high-temperature heat to decarbonise Teesside's surrounding industries, supporting the production of hydrogen and other clean fuels, as well as local jobs and businesses.
X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear have been working alongside Jill Mortimer MP to push Hartlepool as the future of British Nuclear. Hartlepool’s current Nuclear Power Plant is reaching the end of its lifespan, which Jill Mortimer successfully campaigned to be extended to 2026.
Carol Tansley, X-energy’s UK market leader and Vice President of Projects, said:
“We are delighted to receive this FNEF award from the Government. It reflects the readiness of our advanced technology to contribute to the UK’s energy needs in the next wave of new nuclear.
“Building on X-energy’s initial deployment with Dow on the US Gulf Coast, we can create both jobs and long-term energy security in the UK with clean, reliable advanced nuclear power.”
Jill Mortimer MP said:
"I am absolutely delighted to see the pathway for AMR’s in the UK starting to unfold. This is a tangible step towards securing our new AMR in Hartlepool, to replace the current Nuclear Reactor which is nearing the end of its extended lifespan.
"This result follows months of hard work alongside X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear, lobbying within Westminster and ongoing conversations with the Minister for Nuclear.
"The news that X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear have been awarded development funding by the Conservative Government shows a serious commitment to new nuclear in Hartlepool.
"New nuclear will create hundreds of skilled jobs at home, a secure supply of reliable British energy and unlock millions in investment for our area. We are another step closer to delivering on the positive change which was promised for Hartlepool."