Rolls-Royce SMR has been named the preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear in developing the UK’s first small modular reactors (SMRs). This decision follows a two-year selection process and is contingent upon final government approvals and contract finalisation.
Great British Energy – Nuclear, an allied company to Great British Energy, announced the selection, marking a key step in the UK’s plan to expand its clean energy capacity. Rolls-Royce SMR emerged as the preferred choice after competing against several international SMR vendors.
The partnership aims to power the equivalent of approximately three million homes and create up to 3,000 jobs during peak construction.
The UK government has committed over £2.5bn for the SMR programme as part of its Industrial Strategy to enhance energy security and support economic growth.
SMRs are considered advantageous due to their smaller size and faster construction timeline compared to traditional nuclear plants. They are expected to become more cost-effective as more units are produced, contributing to the UK’s long-term goal of establishing a fleet of SMRs. The initiative intends to boost the UK’s status as a clean energy superpower by deploying SMRs alongside other nuclear projects such as Sizewell C and Hinkley Point C, potentially delivering more nuclear power than in the past 50 years.
The global market for SMRs is projected to approach £500bn by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.
Rolls-Royce SMR is currently in the final stages of assessment by the UK’s independent nuclear industry regulators.
Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive Chris Cholerton said: “This success is testament to our incredible team which has developed a world-leading technology and worked tirelessly over the last two years to ensure we could provide a winning tender to GBN.
“As well as delivering affordable, clean energy to support our nation’s energy independence – deploying three of our units will drive domestic growth by creating thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs and supply chain opportunities. We are the only SMR company with multiple commitments to build projects in Europe, testament to our differentiated design and compelling offer”.
The company has already been selected by ČEZ, a leading European utility, to provide up to 3GW of electricity in the Czech Republic.
Great British Energy – Nuclear aims to finalize contracts with Rolls-Royce SMR later this year and plans to allocate a site for the reactors, with grid connection anticipated in the mid-2030s.
