Teesworks shortlisted as potential site of new Rolls-Royce power station factory
Teesworks could host the new factory, creating parts for Rolls-Royce's clean energy power stations
Teesside could become home to a new factory, helping in the fight against Climate Change.
It's as Teesworks has been placed on the shortlist of locations being considered by Rolls-Royce, to host their first factory manufacturing parts for a fleet of clean energy power stations.
The facility – representing a £100million to £200million investment – will be around the size of three football pitches and create more than 200 long-term, highly skilled roles. It will have the capacity to generate enough low-carbon energy to power one million homes.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "It’s great news that Teesworks is in the final running to become home to Rolls-Royce’s SMR factory. The site is fast becoming the place to do business in innovative net zero projects and this facility – helping to drive forward clean energy power plants – would be a fantastic fit.
“As major low-carbon projects in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage continue to take shape at Teesworks, we’re at the cutting edge of the sector. This means we’re inevitably seeing further interest and opportunity from investors keen to base themselves here and create more good-quality, well-paid jobs.
“Whatever the outcome, this goes to show big businesses and household names have their eyes on Teesside like never before.”
Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive, Tom Samson, said: “I want to thank everyone involved in the selection process and offer my congratulations to the three that have made the final shortlist.
“This is part of the process to build the first of at least three factories that will manufacture components for a fleet of small modular reactors and will present an incredible opportunity for a region of the UK. Our power stations will be built in British factories situated in the north of England or Wales and will generate tens of thousands of long-term highly skilled jobs - accelerating regional economic growth.”
Teesworks is up against the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in Sunderland and South Tyneside, and Gateway, Deeside. A decision on the location will be made early next year after final evaluations and detailed assessments are made against the requirements and criteria for the factory.