New power hope for Oldbury

HOPES that the site of the former nuclear power station at Oldburyon-Severn could be used to generate electricity again have been revived.

A "senior team" from engineering giant Rolls-Royce visited Oldbury and nearby Berkeley in January, as the company looks for potential sites for its small modular reactor (SMR) power station programme.

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The Rolls-Royce SMR team also met landowners, council representatives and the Western Gateway team behind the recent bid to bring an experimental fusion reactor to the site, during what it described as a "packed programme of meetings and visits".

Oldbury and Berkeley made the final shortlist for the £220 million Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production programme (STEP) project, but lost out to a former coal site in the East Midlands last October.

The visit follows an announcement last year when Rolls-Royce SMR prioritised its first four sites, which it says have the potential to host 15 gigawatts of new nuclear power between them.

The company says each SMR would create 470 megawatts of lowcarbon energy, enough to power a million homes and equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines.

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They would be operational for at least 60 years, providing a consistent level of power to help overcome fluctuations in power from some renewable energy sources.

Oldbury was among the sites in the ‘first wave’ that the company said showed "significant potential" and earmarked for further investigation.

Rolls-Royce SMR chief operating officer David White said: “This has been an extremely important step for us – allowing us to better understand the sites, see the potential for Rolls-Royce SMRs and, most importantly, meet representatives from the communities to discuss their aspirations for bringing new nuclear to the region.

"Rolls-Royce SMR’s factory-built power stations will play a significant part in guaranteeing future energy security for the UK and providing clean, affordable electricity for generations to come, while supporting thousands of highly-skilled jobs.

"We are looking to agree a route forward with Government to enable us to start building British factories, commissioning supply chain contracts and agreeing export deals abroad, as soon as possible.

"It is vital that we maintain the momentum we have created and move from development into deployment.”

South Gloucestershire Council leader and Western Gateway Partnership vice-chair Toby Savage said: “It is great to see continued interest in our sites at Oldbury and Berkeley.

"Our area has a long history of expertise in pioneering new forms of energy generation and it was good to be able to demonstrate this to our guests from Rolls-Royce SMR.

"Alongside our partners, we are in the process of exploring a range of options to make sure we find the best use for these sites to unlock their potential."

Rolls-Royce SMR says the new power stations would use standard nuclear energy technology that has been used in 400 reactors around the world and could create 40,000 jobs across England and Wales.

From page 1

"I had told my parents I wanted an event where I could properly say goodbye to everyone - and because everyone I have known since childhood all have children of their own now I wanted to hold it somewhere they could come.”

Rob became ill in early 2021 with coronavirus, and when his symptoms persisted, he assumed he had long covid.

But when he finally sought help, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer that affects cells in the bone marrow.

He had three bouts of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, and then stem cell treatment.

Rob first told the Voice about his illness in the summer of 2021, warning people not to dismiss the symptoms he suffered, including extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and brain fog, as long covid.

In December he put out a plea for more people to donate stem cells, and says the treatment gave him an extra 18 months of life.

But just before Christmas he was told he only has months to live – and so decided to host his own funeral at Cattle Country, on January 14.

Writing about the experience to the many people who have followed him on Instagram and Facebook, he said: "I couldn't go there and not go down the death slides, so with a bit of encouragement and a large crowd of spectators I climbed up and gave it one last go (well, twice).

"My legs were very shaky afterwards but it was worth it. If I was healthier I might have gone head-first but... old age and cancer stopped that.

"I am so glad I got to see such a happy funeral rather than the usual sombre sad affair they usually are.

"I really am glad I was given the chance to say goodbye to you all, and I can't stress enough how overwhelming it was seeing and feeling the love - we may not have stayed in contact over the years but it certainly didn't feel like it tonight.

"Most people never get the chance...to say goodbye properly.

"Death is usually so sudden and final and full of regret for things left unsaid. I feel like when I go, I can go with a smile."