Albuquerque Journal

Holtec plans 4 projects with hundreds of $75K-plus jobs

Company is recognized as a foremost technology leader in the nuclear power industry

- BY ED MAYER

Holtec Internatio­nal is a private technology and manufactur­ing innovation company founded in 1986 by Dr. Kris Singh. Recognized as the foremost technology leader in the nuclear power industry, the Florida-based company has over 190 patents in design, materials and manufactur­ing processes. Holtec has technology developmen­t centers in Camden, New Jersey, and Pune, India, and manufactur­ing centers in Orrvilon, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan­ia, Camden, and Gujarat, India, and is the largest exporter of capital equipment in the world.

Holtec has positioned itself for accelerate­d growth by developing innovative technologi­es for the clean energy future. Technologi­es include a small modular reactor — SMR160 MWe, green boiler, high-efficiency solar panels, and regional clean hydrogen hubs. The hydrogen hubs integrate the SMR-160 and green boiler to produce hydrogen via electrolys­is — green hydrogen.

Holtec Internatio­nal was invited to New Mexico by the Eddy Lea Energy Alliance (ELEA) to pursue the proposed Consolidat­ed Interim Storage Facility (CISF) in Southeast New Mexico. ELEA and Holtec are partners in this endeavor. The company is also on the precipice of a massive expansion and intends to leverage the proposed CISF in Lea County as an opportunit­y to bring additional economic developmen­t to the region.

Holtec and the New Mexico Building Constructi­on & Trades Council (NMBCTC) signed a memorandum of understand­ing (MOU) to provide a highly skilled and productive constructi­on labor force to build Holtec’s Technology Developmen­t and Manufactur­ing Center in New Mexico. The center will include four facilities: the CISF, a manufactur­ing center, a technology developmen­t center, and a world-wide workforce training center.

1. Consolidat­ed Interim Storage Facility: Located in Lea County to store spent nuclear fuel from U.S. utilities. Will bring 100 operations jobs and 100 long-term constructi­on jobs with an average pay of $75,000 a year. The facility is a $150 million capital investment or a $3 billion investment if all 20 phases are built.

2. Manufactur­ing Center: Will be located in a New Mexico community with a rail line. It will bring 300 jobs at startup with an average pay of $75,000 a year. It will initially build equipment required for CISF, then expand to green technologi­es and other Holtec wet and dry storage technologi­es. Holtec’s current manufactur­ing facilities are operating at capacity.

3. Technology Developmen­t Center: Will be located in New Mexico and like centers in Camden and Pune. It will bring 100 jobs at startup with an average pay of $100,000 a year and will leverage New Mexico’s national labs. The facility will develop the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub and supporting technologi­es, solar, and other green technologi­es. Holtec already integrates developmen­t workforces in Camden and Pune. Adding New Mexico reinforces the partnershi­p with ELEA to create and train New Mexicans for high-paying jobs in the state.

4. World-Wide Workforce Training Center: Co-located with CISF in Lea County. This will include 50 trainers at startup and will train local workers to handle fuel and conduct dry storage operations in the U.S. and worldwide. The center will coordinate with the Hobbs chapter of the New Mexico NAACP and the Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce to provide opportunit­ies for local workers to learn a trade and then travel throughout the nation and the world. It will offer high-paying jobs averaging $100,000 a year. The facility will also bring workers from U.S. and world-wide utilities to train on Holtec’s technologi­es, which will provide another opportunit­y to introduce New Mexico to the nation and world.

It should be clear Holtec Internatio­nal is on the verge of significan­t expansion into green technologi­es and must increase its workforce to design, engineer, manufactur­e and operate the technologi­es. The proposed CISF in Southeast New Mexico is the down payment for Holtec’s commitment in New Mexico, allowing for a public-private partnershi­p that benefits all New Mexicans. The other three facilities will complement the CISF and Holtec Internatio­nal and bring high-paying jobs to New Mexico while creating a green technology hub.

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