The UK has announced a new partnership with the US that it hopes will usher in a new ‘golden age’ of nuclear power, with the deal expected to shorten licensing times and pave the way for new UK projects.
The deal, which is expected to be signed during Trump’s visit to the UK this week, is designed to make it quicker to license new reactors, with officials targeting roughly two years for approvals, down from around three to four. Ministers say the move clears a path for fresh UK projects, as the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) reports 11,000 new roles created in the sector this year and a record 98,000 people now employed across nuclear power.
According to the UK Government, the expansion of nuclear power is central to the country’s clean power and energy security goals. It has long been Government policy, both of the ruling Labour Party and the previous Conservative Government to boost the UK’s nuclear fleet, with planning rules around SMRs eased earlier this year.
Alongside the new transatlantic pact, a raft of commercial announcements is slated, spanning advanced modular reactors, SMR-powered data centres, fuel-supply agreements and site studies for next-generation designs.
Those include:
- X-energy and Centrica: plans for up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, with a UK-wide programme targeting a 6 GW fleet. The Hartlepool scheme is billed as enough power for up to 1.5 million homes and up to 2,500 jobs, with the overall programme estimated to deliver at least £40 billion in economic value, £12 billion of it focused in the North East.
- Holtec, EDF and Tritax: proposal to develop advanced data centres powered by small modular reactors at the former Cottam coal station in Nottinghamshire. Holtec puts the project value at around £11 billion, with thousands of construction jobs and long-term operations roles expected.
- Last Energy and DP World: intent to establish one of the world’s first micro-modular nuclear plants, backed by £80 million in private investment, to support expansion at DP World’s London Gateway port and business park.
- Urenco and Radiant: agreement worth around £4 million to supply advanced HALEU fuel to the US market. Urenco is building an Advanced Fuels Facility in the UK (co-funded by the government) and is exploring a similar US site.
- TerraPower and KBR: plans to study and evaluate UK sites for Natrium advanced reactors, with each unit expected to support around 1,600 construction jobs and 250 permanent roles, pairing nuclear generation with gigawatt-scale energy storage.
The Government has also highlighted that the deal includes cooperation on fusion, including coordinated experimental programmes and advanced simulation tools, plus a joint goal to end any remaining dependence on Russian nuclear material by end-2028 through strengthened UK-US fuel supply chains.
Faster licensing and regulatory cooperation
The big news for the nuclear industry in the UK, however, will be that under the partnership, both countries intend to ‘fast-track’ design assessment where a reactor has already cleared rigorous safety checks in one jurisdiction, allowing the other to draw on that work to avoid duplication.
Regulators are already collaborating on UK assessments of GE Vernova and Holtec designs. The Government says the streamlined approach could reduce approvals for advanced designs, such as the Rolls-Royce SMR, which has now entered the US regulatory process, to around 24 months. The UK and US also plan to share workload on site licensing to speed projects while maintaining standards.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted, “This landmark UK-US nuclear partnership is not just about powering our homes, it’s about powering our economy, our communities, and our ambition.
“These major commitments set us well on course to a golden age of nuclear that will drive down household bills in the long run, while delivering thousands of good jobs in the short term.
“Together with the US, we’re building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment.”
Chris Wright, US Secretary of Energy, added, “Today’s commercial deals set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the US and UK, enhancing global energy security, strengthening U.S. energy dominance, and securing nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic.”
The pact has been welcomed by Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, who noted, “These deals are hugely welcome and build on a summer of record government investment in nuclear which is driving an industrial revival, creating thousands of high-value jobs, and strengthening the UK’s energy security. New projects with our US partners build on Sizewell C and the SMR programme, showing the power of government and industry working together. The next step is clear: a pipeline of follow-on projects to lock in skills, investment, and prosperity across the UK.”
