ROCKVILLE, Maryland, May 11, 2022 – Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US nuclear reactor and fuel design engineering company X-energy to act as its deployment partner for High Temperature Gas Reactors in the UK.
X-energy’s High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) can support the decarbonization of industrial heat and hydrogen at scale, as well as electricity, helping to meet the growing demand for low-carbon energy. It offers rapid deployment, with the first units set to be deployed in the US from 2027 with the UK planning to follow.
Development and deployment of HTGRs would support an increase in UK energy security, contribute towards the Government’s Net Zero commitments to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050, and create considerable opportunities for the UK nuclear supply chain.
The MoU complements Cavendish Nuclear’s support to all three nuclear streams in the UK Government’s Energy Security Strategy: Large Gigawatt Reactors, Small Modular Reactors, and Advanced Modular Reactors such as HTGRs with the capability to focus on industrial heat and hydrogen.
Together the companies would combine world-leading US technology with the project integration, manufacturing, modularization and O&M capability of Cavendish Nuclear.
Mick Gornall, Cavendish Nuclear, Managing Director said, “This is an exciting opportunity for Cavendish Nuclear and X-energy to bring together the collective breadth and depth of our expertise and experience to forge opportunities to develop and deploy HTGRs in the UK.
“The UK Government’s choice of HTGRs as its preferred technology for the Advanced Modular Reactor Research Development & Demonstration Programme, gives us the opportunity to explore the significant contribution X-energy’s technology can make to decarbonizing the wider energy sector.”
“X-energy is proud to partner with Cavendish Nuclear to lead and accelerate zero carbon progress in support of the UK Government’s emissions goals,” added Clay Sell, X-energy Chief Executive Officer, “Cavendish Nuclear is an experienced and proven nuclear innovation leader with the capabilities and expertise to combine their best-in-class deployment with X-energy’s unparalleled technology at scale to meet the needs of customers, consumers, and businesses across the UK.
“Trans-Atlantic collaboration is a critical part of strengthening global energy security and reliability, and this partnership can help pave the way to safer and cleaner energy for all.”
Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International Group, delivers across all aspects of the nuclear energy life cycle; from design, manufacture and construction, through operations and maintenance, to decommissioning, waste management and remediation. Creating a safe and secure world, together. www.cavendishnuclear.com
X-energy is a nuclear energy innovation company focused on the development of next-generation, zero-carbon nuclear energy. Based in Rockville, Maryland, X-energy designs and deploys advanced nuclear reactors and manufactures its proprietary TRISO-X fuel to improve the delivery of safe, affordable energy to people around the world. For more information, visit https://x-energy.com or connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
Media contact:
Robert McEntyre, Corporate Communications Director, X-energy
rmcentyre@x-energy.com
(770) 548-5571