- Sheffield Forgemasters’ Accreditation Triumph:
- Achieved ASME Section III Division I NCA 3300, NCA 4000, and NQA-1 Code accreditation.
- Enables supply of castings and forgings for civil nuclear applications and welding activities on safety-critical components.
- Strategic Positioning in the UK’s Nuclear Landscape:
- Sheffield Forgemasters becomes the sole UK producer with capabilities for welding safety-critical components for nuclear power plants.
- Aligns with the UK’s energy strategy, targeting eight new reactors and small modular reactors to meet 25% of electricity demand by 2050.
- Diverse Engagement and Collaborations:
- Sheffield Forgemasters, with origins dating back to the 1750s, boasts global market presence in defense, civil nuclear, offshore, and more.
- Collaborates with leading SMR developers, including Rolls-Royce, NuScale, GE Hitachi, Holtec Britain, and X-energy, showcasing its pivotal role in shaping the UK’s nuclear energy future.
Sheffield Forgemasters, acquired by the UK’s Ministry of Defence in 2021, has achieved a notable milestone in the field of nuclear energy. Following an audit by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section III Division I NCA 3300, NCA 4000, and NQA-1 Code, the company has been recommended for Material Organisation (MO) and welding (NPT) accreditations.
These accreditations signify that Sheffield Forgemasters is now capable of supplying castings and forgings for civil nuclear applications and can conduct weld construction activities on these materials. The ASME committee on nuclear certification is expected to approve the audit’s findings, granting the company a certificate that would make it the sole UK producer capable of physically weld-fabricating safety-critical components for nuclear power plants.
Notably, Sheffield Forgemasters had initially gained ASME accreditation as a Nuclear Material Organisation in 1992, but it lapsed over the years due to a shift in focus towards developing technologies for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The recent achievement marks a resurgence in the company’s nuclear capabilities, aligning with the UK’s energy strategy unveiled in April. The strategy aims to have eight new reactors, along with SMRs, producing 24 GWe capacity by 2050, meeting a quarter of the UK’s projected electricity demand.
Ian Nicholls, the Group Technical Director of Sheffield Forgemasters, emphasized the significance of the accreditation, citing the enhanced requirements and disciplines encompassing all processes, employees, and selected sub-suppliers. Code compliance, crucial for entering the UK civil nuclear supply chain, demands a comprehensive understanding to avoid violations, an aspect Nicholls highlighted for businesses engaging in this process.
As the UK advances its nuclear energy ambitions, with the first new nuclear capacity in about 30 years being built by EDF at Hinkley Point C, Sheffield Forgemasters positions itself as a key player. The company, with its roots tracing back to the 1750s, boasts a diverse global market presence, including defense, civil nuclear, offshore, power generation, renewables, and more. Additionally, Sheffield Forgemasters has signed memorandums of understanding with several SMR developers in the UK, such as Rolls-Royce SMR, NuScale, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Holtec Britain, and X-energy.
In the current selection process for SMR technology adoption in the UK, Sheffield Forgemasters stands out as a significant contributor. Six companies, including Holtec, Rolls-Royce, Nuward, NuScale, GE Hitachi, and Westinghouse, are shortlisted, with the government expected to announce its support in Spring 2024. The goal is to reach a final investment decision in 2029, with operational SMRs delivered by the mid-2030s.
This comprehensive overview showcases Sheffield Forgemasters’ pivotal role in the evolving landscape of the UK’s nuclear industry, its historical significance, and its strategic positioning for the country’s future energy needs.