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More than 100 representatives from local and national companies met in Hartlepool this week to hear about the opportunities offered by X-energy’s proposed nuclear new build project.
Businesses from across Teesside and the UK came together to learn how they can support the project, which aims to build on the region’s industrial heritage by providing a clean energy future.
X-energy, along with deployment partner Cavendish Nuclear, hosted around 70
companies to discuss the potential fleet production of its Xe-100 advanced modular
nuclear reactors (AMRs).
Topics included the likely timescales, scope of contracts for companies of all sizes across multiple sectors, and what is required to win business.
The event at Hartlepool College of Further Education highlighted the critical role
regional and British engineering, manufacturing, and construction companies can play
in building the next generation of clean power production in Hartlepool and across the
UK.
The event will be followed by a workshop on Thursday 10 th October at The Wilton
Centre, Redcar, focusing on how X-energy’s Xe-100 technology can be applied across
the UK to directly decarbonise current and future heavy industry by providing high
temperature steam.
The workshop will be attended by industrial energy users, clean
fuel companies and policy makers. It will be co-hosted with nuclear heat experts
Equilibrion, The Energy Intensive User Group and the North East England Process
Industry Cluster (NEPIC).
Carol Tansley, X-energy’s Vice President of Projects and UK Market Leader said:
“The North East’s talented businesses have a proud history of supporting both nuclear
power and the wider Teesside industrial base – this event is focused on how we can
build the partnerships at local and national level to deliver new nuclear power online in
Hartlepool in the early 2030s.
“We also look forward to exploring with the industrial community how deployment of the
Xe-100 could provide a model for decarbonisation across the UK.”
X-energy is planning a fleet of around 40 of its Xe-100 AMRs across the UK, creating
thousands of high-quality, high paying jobs in construction and operations. A 12-reactor project at Hartlepool, next to the existing nuclear power station, would represent a multi-
billion-pound investment and bring enormous benefits to the supply chain across the
region.
X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear have a goal of sourcing at least 80% of the
goods and services needed via UK businesses.
Mick Gornall, Managing Director of Cavendish Nuclear, said: “The event showcases
the appetite and capability of the UK’s supply chain for nuclear. We’re excited to move
forward with this technology that will contribute to both energy security and long-term
job creation.
“This project will position Hartlepool at the forefront of the UK’s efforts to decarbonise
industries like hydrogen production and heavy manufacturing, with the technology
offering faster and more cost-effective deployment compared to traditional nuclear
plants.”
The events on Teesside are part of a £6.68m programme funded by X-energy and the
UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which awarded
Cavendish Nuclear and X-energy £3.34m in April this year through the Future Nuclear
Enabling Fund aimed at supporting mature technologies that are ready to deploy.
Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool said “We want good, well-paid jobs to come to our
town and that means investments in exciting industries like this.  What X-energy is
proposing with its AMR technology will make Hartlepool the epicentre of this country’s
transition to a green energy superpower with billions of pounds worth of generational
investment”.
Cllr Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said ‘‘It is fantastic to see
so many local and national companies attending the event to understand the
opportunities that are available within the supply chain as part of X-Energy and
Cavendish Nuclear’s multi-billion-pound plans for Hartlepool.
‘‘As a council we are focused on the growth of our local economy, bringing new high
quality jobs and investment into the borough and that is exactly what X-energy and
Cavendish Nuclear are proposing with their plans to bring 12 advanced modular nuclear
reactors (AMRs) to Hartlepool.
“We are determined to support them and any other businesses within their supply chain
that would like to be based in Hartlepool and together we can all play a part in ensuring
that Hartlepool can be at the forefront of the UK’s Nuclear Industry.”