Boccard, a France-based engineering and manufacturing company, has opened a major new facility in Deeside, North Wales, designed to support the UK’s expanding nuclear energy programme.
The 10,000m² site will focus on producing high-integrity components, such as pipework, supports, tanks, and modular systems, for large-scale and small modular reactor (SMR) projects, including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.
The opening comes after the UK Government announced a £17 billion investment in new nuclear projects as part of its latest spending review. That funding is intended to boost energy security, expand clean power generation, and support the country’s Net Zero targets.
The Deeside facility is expected to create over 200 permanent jobs, offering a significant economic boost to the Cheshire and Flintshire region, and contributing to the development of the local skills base in the energy and engineering sectors.
Boccard has extensive experience in the nuclear sector, having supplied components for 44 of France’s 56 operational reactors. Its new UK facility is expected to become one of the country’s largest nuclear supply chain hubs, and it aims to play a central role in the delivery of both traditional nuclear infrastructure and the UK’s emerging SMR programme.
The new site was officially opened by Stuart Crooks, CEO of Hinkley Point C, alongside Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning for the Welsh Government. Both noted the importance of expanding domestic capacity for clean energy infrastructure manufacturing, especially in light of global efforts to reduce emissions and transition away from fossil fuels.
Crooks said: ‘Boccard’s new investment in North Wales is a prime example of the way nuclear is creating new industrial capacity in Britain. It’s made possible by a long-term commitment from industry and government, which is creating new and highly skilled jobs that change lives for the better. The new factory means that more work for Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will happen in the UK, putting skills in place to benefit both existing and future nuclear projects.’
Rebecca Evans added: ‘The opening of Boccard’s new nuclear components manufacturing facility in Deeside clearly signals that Wales is strategically placed to play a central role in the future nuclear supply chain.
‘With a rapidly growing skilled workforce and the presence of major suppliers like Boccard, North Wales is primed to attract further investment into this expanding sector and unlock significant growth for the Welsh economy.
‘Since the start of this Senedd term, we have directly invested £600 million in Welsh businesses, creating and safeguarding 40,000 jobs. The hundreds of jobs created by the opening of Boccard’s new manufacturing facility, which is backed by more than £1 million in Welsh Government funding, forms part of this success story.
‘Wales is becoming an important location for inward investment. Last year saw 65 projects – a 23% increase on the previous financial year. This was the second highest increase of any nation or region of the UK.’
By enhancing domestic manufacturing capability, the Deeside development also supports wider objectives of energy sovereignty and resilience, helping reduce reliance on international supply chains at a time of rising demand and geopolitical uncertainty in energy markets.
Bruno Boccard, Chairman of Boccard, said: ‘Our new facility in North Wales is a milestone in our century-long history and part of our broader European expansion. Our ambition is to be a driving force in the UK’s nuclear renaissance, while supporting the country’s decarbonisation and energy sovereignty goals.
‘The UK government’s historic support marks a turning point for the nuclear sector, shifting focus to building a world-class supply chain and attracting top talent. As a leading manufacturer, we look forward to sharing best practices and collaborating to create a nuclear hub in North Wales and across the UK.’
Leave a Reply