en.Wedoany.com Reported - Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor (Rolls-Royce SMR) has announced it will open its first manufacturing development center, "Pioneer Works," in Derby, UK. The facility is scheduled to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2026 and is expected to create approximately 40 long-term jobs.

"Pioneer Works" is a non-nuclear site primarily tasked with establishing construction processes, precision assembly, and advanced testing capabilities, aiming to reduce risks in deploying small modular reactor units in the UK, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. The facility will develop and validate the technologies, techniques, and processes required to assemble the nuclear power plant's primary circuit and highest-integrity components. As the factory expands, roles will cover areas such as advanced engineering, welding, testing, precision assembly, and manufacturing development.

Ruth Todd CBE, Director of Operations and Supply Chain at Rolls-Royce SMR, stated that the factory is central to transforming how nuclear projects are delivered, creating high-skilled jobs and leveraging UK engineering expertise to advance next-generation nuclear power. She also noted that the facility will serve as the first training center to cultivate the future workforce needed to support the construction of "factory-built" nuclear power plants worldwide.

Catherine Atkinson MP, Member of Parliament for Derby North, said that Rolls-Royce SMR's choice of Derby for the factory reflects the city's momentum, adding that Derby possesses the necessary skills, engineering expertise, and supply chain. Baggy Shanker MP, Member of Parliament for Derby South, added that this £12 million investment will support high-skilled, long-term jobs and help train the next generation with relevant skills.

The factory, with an investment of £12 million, is scheduled to open later this year and will operate in coordination with Rolls-Royce SMR's existing "EXPERI" facility at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. In April, Rolls-Royce SMR signed a contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear to conduct site design and delivery activities for the UK's first small modular reactors at Wylfa, followed by an early works agreement with ČEZ to advance licensing and site design for deployment.

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