Rolls-Royce SMR Turbines to Be Built at Historic Parsons Works in Newcastle
Siemens Energy deal supports more than 550 jobs and brings nuclear manufacturing to Tyneside
Siemens Energy will manufacture key steam turbine components for Rolls-Royce SMR's first small modular reactors at its site in Newcastle upon Tyne, the historic CA Parsons Works. Announced in early September 2026, the deal covers high-pressure turbines and valve casings for the first three reactors on Anglesey in North Wales, and is expected to support more than 550 jobs in Newcastle.
What will be made in Newcastle
The Newcastle factory will produce the high-pressure turbines and valve casings for Rolls-Royce SMR’s first three units, which are planned for the Gwyndod project on Anglesey, led by Great British Energy – Nuclear.
The site has a remarkable history. It is the home of CA Parsons, the company founded by Sir Charles Parsons, whose invention of the modern steam turbine in 1884 changed how the world generates electricity. The works have been making power generation equipment since 1889.
How a small modular reactor makes electricity
Like a conventional nuclear power station, an SMR uses the heat from nuclear fission to make steam, which spins a turbine connected to a generator. The difference is that SMRs are designed to be built largely in factories as standard modules, then assembled on site. The aim is to cut construction time, cost and risk compared with one-off, large-scale plants.
The turbine and its valves sit in what engineers call the conventional island. Making them in the UK keeps high-value mechanical engineering work in the domestic supply chain.
A boost for the UK nuclear supply chain
Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive Chris Cholerton said working with Siemens Energy in Newcastle built on a remarkable industrial legacy and would help create and sustain the skills the programme needs. Darren Davidson, UK vice president for Siemens Energy, called it a significant moment for the Newcastle facility, for UK manufacturing and for Britain’s nuclear future.
Simon Roddy, chief executive of Great British Energy – Nuclear, said making the components in Newcastle for a project in North Wales showed that every part of the UK has a role to play, while Nuclear Industry Association chief executive Tom Greatrex described it as what reindustrialisation looks like.
Skills in demand for new nuclear
Turbine manufacture needs precision machinists, welders, quality and inspection engineers, manufacturing engineers and design engineers who can work to nuclear-grade standards. As more SMR supply contracts are placed, competition for these skills is likely to increase across the North East and beyond.
Bernoullis recruits across mechanical and electrical engineering. Contact us to find your next role or your next hire.
Sources: World Nuclear News · Nuclear Industry Association · Bdaily
Images are illustrative. Credits: Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Ka23 13, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Gillett's Crossing from Bristol, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Are Bernoullis?
We Are The Number One Engineering Recruitment Firm In The Uk! We Pride Ourselves On Getting The Best Prospects For Each Vacancy We Fill... No More Time Wasted With Interviewees Who Are Not Up To The Job!
More Engineering News and Career Guides
Ready for Your Next Engineering Move?
Browse live engineering vacancies, send us your CV or tell us about a role you need to fill. Our engineers recruit engineers.
New AI Job Matcher
Not sure which jobs to apply for? Let AI match your CV to 150,000+ live UK jobs.
Upload your CV once and every job is scored against it, best fits first, with the skills you have and the ones you’re missing.
- 150,000+live UK jobs
- 0–100score on every job
- Nightlyfresh jobs every day
3-day free trial, then £11.99/month. Includes CV rewrites for every job. Cancel online any time.