Nuclear engineers near Peterborough secure orders worth £10 million plus as concerns grow over energy security
A nuclear engineering specialist near Peterborough has secured orders worth £10 million plus as international concerns grow over energy security.
Engineers at Avingtrans, based at Chatteries, says that many nations are now looking to develop nuclear as a decarbonised energy source and reduce their dependence on other countries for energy supplies.
Avingtrans, which designs, manufactures and supplies critical components, systems and associated services to the energy, medical and industrial sectors, says its Advanced Engineering Systems division has secured orders worth more than £10m for nuclear applications in the last four months.
Austen Adams, chief operating officer of Avingtrans, said: “In recent years, we have seen a renewed desire to develop new-build nuclear as a sustainable, decarbonised energy source.
"This has only accelerated in the wake of recent geopolitical instability, with countries around the world seeking to reduce their reliance on third-countries for their energy supplies.”
The new orders include a £3 million contract for a reactor water cleanup pump for a nuclear power plant in Spain as well as a range of smaller-scale nuclear technology projects.
Mr Adams said: “At the turn of the century, the focus was very much on maintenance and decommissioning legacy infrastructure.
"The new shift is being accentuated by the AI and digital revolution, with data centres being built at an incredible rate, supported by US government investment and greater deregulation.
"While delivery of specialist cooling technologies creates opportunities for some of our businesses, data centres are also energy hungry.
"These crerate the perfect conditions for wide-scale adoption of new technologies - such as small modular reactors - that can be built up relatively quickly and secure energy supplies locally, without overwhelming distribution networks.
He added: “Avingtrans’ businesses are already well advanced developing prototypes for one of the world’s leading small modular reactors companies and we expect this to be just the start of a significant increase in market activity across the industry.”