Proactive Investors - Shares in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LON:RR.), rose today on reports of progress in the selection of sites for its nuclear reactor stations and as it said it had completed building and is preparing to test its UltraFan, technology demonstrator.
The FTSE 100 listed engineer said it has shortlisted three sites as potential locations for its first factory manufacturing parts for its fleet of nuclear power stations according to reports.
The chosen sites are Teesworks on Teesside, International Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sunderland and South Tyneside and Gateway in North Wales.
The Small Module Reactor (SMR) facility will be around the size of three football pitches and create more than 200 long-term jobs.
It will have the capacity to generate enough low-carbon energy to power one million homes.
Tom Samson, Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive, said: "I want to thank everyone involved in the selection process and offer my congratulations to the three that have made the final shortlist.”
"This is part of the process to build the first of at least three factories that will manufacture components for a fleet of small modular reactors and will present an incredible opportunity for a region of the UK.”
"Our power stations will be built in British factories situated in the north of England or Wales and will generate tens of thousands of long-term highly skilled jobs - accelerating regional economic growth."
A decision on the location will be made early next year after final evaluations are made against the requirements and criteria for the factory.
Separately the engineering giant announced it has completed building and is preparing to test its UltraFan, technology demonstrator.
In a major milestone for the programme, the demonstrator engine was transported from the build workshop and into Testbed 80 in Derby, UK where it was mounted in preparation for testing.
The first test of the demonstrator is expected to take place early next year and will be operated using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel.