Preston’s Westinghouse Springfields nuclear facility has marked a significant milestone as the oldest continuous nuclear fuel manufacturing site in the world.
Starting from its original licence on 28 March, 1946, the site was chosen by the government to develop nuclear fuel for Calder Hall, the world’s first civil nuclear power station at Sellafield, Cumbria.
Springfields, which sits on Preston’s western edge at Lea, has manufactured more than 8 million advanced gas reactor (AGR) pins, over 500 million AGR uranium pellets and 222,000 AGR grids.
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Craig Boothby, managing director at Springfield Fuels, said: “It is an honour to be the latest custodian of Springfields Fuels on our 80th year. For eight decades, we have consistently provided the UK and customers across the globe with nuclear fuel to power their reactors.
“Nuclear power makes up about 15 per cent of UK electricity. We believe the vital role of nuclear keeping the lights on and our climate clean must be expanded we stand ready to support this mission.”
Andrew Snowden, Conservative MP for Fylde, said: “Springfields has been a cornerstone of Fylde’s economy for eight decades, employing thousands of local people in well-paid, highly skilled jobs.
“As well as the site celebrating its 80th year, it has also continuously run its apprenticeship scheme for more than 75 years. More than 30 per cent of current employees and around 50 per cent of its senior leadership team are former apprentices [which is] truly impressive commitment.”
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