Rolls-Royce SMR has announced a contract with Skanska UK to deliver an aseismic bearing pedestal demonstrator for its Small Modular Reactor (SMR).
These structural isolation devices are a key part of the factory-built nuclear power plant’s design and play a critical role in decoupling buildings and infrastructure from ground motion during seismic events – significantly enhancing safety and resilience.
The project will be delivered from Skanska’s fabrications facility in Doncaster, England, and includes building a prototype of the aseismic bearing pedestal which allows standardisation of the Rolls-Royce SMR design across a diverse range of geotechnical and seismic conditions.
Ruth Todd CBE, Rolls-Royce SMR Operations and Supply Chain Director, said: “Working with Skanska is a significant step forward in proving the capability of our aseismic bearing technology and demonstrating our modular approach to construction. By working with a trusted delivery partner, we are de-risking our ‘fleet-based’ approach and creating opportunities for more British and Czech suppliers to play a key role the Rolls-Royce SMR mission.”
Skanska is one of the world’s leading project development and construction companies, renowned for delivering complex building and infrastructure projects across sectors including energy and transportation. One of Sweden’s largest companies, Skanska has a strong presence in the UK, North America and Europe including Czech Republic – bringing decades of experience in civil engineering, project management and sustainable construction.
Adam McDonald, Executive Vice President at Skanska UK, said: “We’ll be bringing our civil engineering, design and fabrications expertise to build and test a first-of-its-kind pre-cast bearing pedestal – a critical component for Rolls-Royce SMR in building new nuclear power generation. Over the coming months, we’ll develop the prototype and run various technical trials at our Bentley Works facility in Doncaster. We are looking forward to playing our part in developing the next generation of nuclear energy.”
Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as preferred bidder in the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) SMR competition and by European utility, ČEZ, to build up to three gigawatts of new nuclear power in the Czech Republic. GBE-N recently announced that Wylfa on Ynys Mon (Anglesey) was selected as the site for the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors – delivering up to 1.5GW of low-carbon energy to the grid, supporting the UK’s net zero goals and create significant economic 8,000 quality long-term British jobs.
You can find out more about the role of the aseismic bearing pedestal in a virtual tour of the Rolls-Royce SMR. The Rolls-Royce SMR Explorer explores this transformational approach to nuclear power in more detail than ever before.
