Rolls-Royce SMR has been named the preferred bidder by Great British Energy to deliver the UK’s first fleet of small modular reactors (SMRs).
Under the agreement, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) intends to sign contracts with Rolls-Royce SMR later this year, allocate a site and establish a joint development company. Backed by more than £2.5 billion of government funding in the current Spending Review period, the programme is expected to create up to 3,000 skilled jobs at peak construction and supply electricity to around three million homes.
The UK Government has made nuclear power a key tenet of its energy strategy, and Keir Starmer recently announced streamlined planning approval for SMRs in particular.
SMRs’are factory-built, 470 MW pressurised-water reactors designed to be quicker and cheaper to deploy than conventional gigawatt-scale stations, like Sizewell C or Hinkley Point C.
“We are ending the no-nuclear status quo as part of our Plan for Change and are entering a golden age of nuclear with the biggest building programme in a generation,” commented Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary.
“Great British Energy – Nuclear has run a rigorous competition and will now work with the preferred bidder Rolls-Royce SMR to build the country’s first ever small modular reactors – creating thousands of jobs and growing our regional economies while strengthening our energy security.”
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added, “The UK is back where it belongs, taking the lead in the technologies of tomorrow with Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred partner for this journey.
“We’re backing Britain with Great British Energy – Nuclear’s ambition to ensure 70% of supply-chain products are British-built, delivering our Plan for Change through more jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.”
Simon Bowen, Chair of GBE-N, hailed the decision as “a defining moment for the UK’s energy and industrial future”, while Chief Executive Gwen Parry-Jones emphasised the urgency of deployment, “We are proud to lead this national mission. Nuclear is the cornerstone of the UK’s energy strategy, and today’s announcement will accelerate deployment.
“Together with Rolls-Royce SMR, our selected preferred bidder, and subject to government approvals and contract signature, we will deliver a programme that is technically world-class and delivers real value to the British people – through energy security, economic opportunity, and environmental leadership.”
Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive, Chris Cholerton, concluded, “This is a day to celebrate a milestone achievement. 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.
