Artistic rendering of Rolls-Royce's small modular reactorRolls-Royce has announced it has signed a landmark contract with
Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) – the UK Government’s nuclear delivery body – that paves the way for the design and delivery of the first small modular reactors (SMRs) in the UK.
This marks another important step on the journey of
Rolls-Royce SMR towards creating high-skilled jobs, improving the UK’s energy security, boosting the supply chain and generating economic growth.
In November last year, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that three SMRs will be sited at Wylfa, on the coast of Ynys Môn (Anglesey) in North Wales. That followed the news in July that Czech utility CEZ Group had signed an early works agreement enabling the launch of site work in Czechia for Rolls-Royce SMR to provide up to 3GW of low-carbon energy.
Today’s two-stage contract with GBE-N will enable site-specific design activity and preparations for the site build at Wylfa, as well as allowing Rolls-Royce SMR to order long lead-time equipment from the supply chain. The contract brings certainty to the UK SMR programme and differentiates Rolls-Royce SMR as the only company with multiple commitments in Europe.
Rolls-Royce’s CEO Tufan Erginbilgic said: “This is a critical milestone for Rolls-Royce SMR, for Rolls-Royce and for the UK as the Government looks to realise its ambition of a ‘golden age’ of new nuclear. It is a vote of confidence in our unique nuclear capabilities and further evidence that the strategic choices we have made in the transformation of the company are delivering. It also provides crucial contractual certainty in our domestic market that will unlock the opportunity to deploy a global fleet of Rolls-Royce SMRs.
He continued: “Rolls-Royce SMR now has multiple commitments in Europe and is well placed to become a market leader globally. As activity ramps up in the UK and in the Czech Republic, these projects are already generating returns. The team at Rolls-Royce SMR have an unrivalled track record in nuclear design, regulatory engagement, manufacturing and assembly and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication in getting to this important stage.”
This contract with GBE-N will help Rolls-Royce SMR retain its crucial first mover advantage in a market that is growing and attracting significant international interest. The business is currently the furthest through any European regulatory process.
Gareth Stace, director-general of
UK Steel, said: “We welcome this announcement of the contract between Great British Energy and Rolls-Royce as a major step forward for the UK’s clean energy ambitions and long-term energy security. SMRs represent a significant industrial opportunity for the UK, with the potential to create thousands of skilled jobs, drive regional growth and strengthen domestic supply chains.
“It is essential that the UK steel industry is fully embedded in these projects from the outset. Steel will be fundamental to the construction and operation of SMRs, and ensuring strong domestic content is not just an economic opportunity, but a matter of national security and resilience.”
He concluded: “We therefore urge Government and developers to work closely with UK steel producers to maximise domestic sourcing, build long-term capability and ensure that this new generation of nuclear projects delivers fully for British industry as well as for Britain’s energy needs.”