Rolls-Royce pens deal paving way for UK’s first small modular reactors

Rolls-Royce has signed a contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear which will ultimately enable the development of the UK’s first small modular reactors.

GBE-N recently selected a site on Anglesey for the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors, providing up to 1.5 GW of low-carbon electricity.

Since Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as the preferred technology partner in June last year, it has been working with GBE-N to finalise a contract that advances technology design activities – and unlocks the next phase of the programme.

The deal will require Rolls-Royce SMR to work with GBE-N to work against key milestones as it commences site-specific design, regulatory engagement, and planning processes, ahead of a future Final Investment Decision.

The UK’s first SMR project is estimated to support about 3,000 jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the UK supply chain.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of Rolls-Royce, 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 Rolls-Royce 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.”

Last year, in the 2025 Spending Review, £2.6 billion was allocated to enable this contract and wider programme delivery.

GBE-N has already awarded more than £350 million in contracts across the supply chain this year, including some of the UK’s leading companies.

As well as the UK, Rolls-Royce SMR also has a foothold in Europe for its technology, including the Czech Republic.

Mr Erginbilic said: “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 in 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.”

Simon Bowen, chair of GBE-N, said: “This is an immense moment for the UK nuclear programme, our organisation and the industry as a whole.

“It represents a true recognition of the efforts made across GBE-N, Rolls-Royce SMR and government to get to this point, and I’m hugely proud of the team for reaching this critical milestone.”