Cambridge Vacuum Engineering boosted by nuclear announcement during Chancellor’s visit
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and energy secretary Ed Miliband visited Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) to see its Ebflow welding technology in action.
The visit on Monday (9 June) to the Waterbeach-based manufacturer of electron beam welding and laser welding systems allowed the ministers to learn more about Ebflow, which has the potential to transform manufacturing timelines and costs for the UK’s next-generation nuclear power infrastructure.
The visit came ahead of the Government announcing investment in Sizewell C and the results of its’ Great British Nuclear Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition – an initiative to select and support the deployment of SMR reactors across the UK.
On Tuesday (10 June), Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised there would be no more “dithering” about backing nuclear power as the government committed to the Sizewell C plant and the development of new small modular reactors (SMRs).
The Prime Minister said the “change of mindset” would help free the UK from reliance on international fossil fuel markets and prevent price spikes such as those in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ms Reeves signed off on £14.2billion of investment to build the new Sizewell C nuclear plant in Suffolk, while Rolls-Royce has been named as the preferred bidder to build SMRs in a programme backed by £2.5bn of taxpayers’ cash.
The commitment reflects the government’s vision for SMRs to play a critical role to play in the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy. Smaller than conventional nuclear power station reactors, SMRs can be constructed in modular units, allowing for phased construction and deployment, potentially reducing costs and construction time.
Ebflow, an advanced electron beam (EB) welding technology, developed by the team at CVE, is proven to transform the speed at which nuclear pressure vessels can be built.
In a trial conducted by Sheffield Forgemasters (announced in early 2024), Ebflow cut the time needed to weld a demonstrator vessel for an SMR from more than a year to less than 24 hours.
On site at CVE, the Chancellor and Mr Miliband initiated an Ebflow test weld, while speaking to CVE staff about the development of the technology.
Bob Nicolson, managing director of Cambridge Vacuum Engineering said: “We were honoured to welcome The Chancellor and Mr Miliband to our premises to learn more about our electron beam welding capabilities.
“Ebflow was developed to enable major cost savings and efficiencies across aerospace, automotive, defence and renewable energy welding projects.
“ In the nuclear sector, Ebflow has the potential to reshape the future of reactor production, enabling the fast, efficient production of core components needed to support the country’s transition to a low carbon economy and build a more resilient and flexible energy system.
“We welcome the Government’s decision to invest in Sizewell C and the appointment of Rolls-Royce SMR as preferred bidder to build the country’s first small modular reactors.”
The SMR project could support up to 3,000 new skilled jobs and power the equivalent of around three million homes, with a first site expected to be allocated later this year by state-owned Great British Energy – Nuclear.
Officials hope SMRs will be cheaper and quicker to build than traditional power plants, and projects could be connected to the grid by the mid-2030s.
