Framatome To Set Up Fuel Fabrication Facility In Uk

2nd December 2023

France's Framatome is planning the construction of a nuclear fuel fabrication facility in the UK and is evaluating targeted local industrial sites in consultation with the UK Government's Department for Energy Security & Net-Zero (DESNZ) and EDF.

The current assessment of selected existing and former nuclear generation sites precedes detailed site justification and pre-licensing studies expected to be engaged in 2024 under the guidance of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

The project is part of Framatome's strategy to scale up operations in the UK in preparation for the new generation of nuclear reactors. The facility will manufacture nuclear fuel for large pressurised water reactors (PWRs) and light water small modular reactors (SMRs) to supply the future UK nuclear fleet and to support wider deployment of SMRs in Europe. EDF is currently building two EPR reactors at Hinkley Point C, with a further two planned at Sizewell C. The UK government recently announced the preselection of six SMR designs with the aim of delivering operational reactors by mid-2030.

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