Rolls-Royce signs agreements for UK advanced nuclear technologies

Rolls-Royce has announced it has signed two trilateral agreements to accelerate the introduction of advanced nuclear technologies in the UK.

The engineering giant has signed Memorandums of Cooperation with the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) and Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).

The three parties will cooperate to advance High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) technology and the next generation Coated Particle Fuel (CPF) that powers them.

These agreements build upon the existing relationships between Rolls-Royce and UKNNL, and between UKNNL and JAEA.

Chris Cholerton, group president at Rolls-Royce, said: “Our two agreements with UKNNL and JAEA are a milestone moment for the UK’s nuclear sector.

“Strengthening existing relationships between our nations and combining our broad nuclear capability, they will enable us to jointly address technical challenges and accelerate the development of Advanced Modular Reactors and their advanced coated particle fuel, to deliver industrial growth, skilled jobs and energy security for our nations.”

The UK’s independent Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce recently identified nuclear technology as being vital to the UK’s economic growth, energy security and national defence.

According to Rolls-Royce, its new trilateral relationship will advance the UK’s proud history of sovereign nuclear technology capability and demonstrates a commitment to strengthening the UK and Japan’s co-operation on clean energy and nuclear technologies.

AMRs can deliver energy resilience and enable decarbonisation across civil, defence and industrial applications.

They represent a compact and rapidly deployable nuclear energy solution for off-grid customers who require flexible heat and power that is safe, secure and reliable.

Coated Particle Fuel is a key component in the inherent safety of AMRs; within its core, each particle of uranium is surrounded by protective layers, allowing it to withstand even the most extreme conditions.

Building on the success of Rolls-Royce SMR in the Great British Energy – Nuclear selection process, Rolls-Royce is looking to broaden its nuclear portfolio and explore opportunities in the Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) market.

Differentiated in reactor technology, size and power output from the Rolls-Royce SMR, the Rolls-Royce AMR still benefits from the same innovative modular design and build certainty.

A formal signing ceremony of the agreements took place at 10 Downing Street during the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi.

Lord Vallance, UK Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said: “We are bringing together crucial expertise through our Advanced Nuclear Framework to deliver a golden age of nuclear and boost our energy security.

“These agreements build on Britain and Japan’s proud legacies of leading innovation in nuclear technologies.

“Together with our world-leading laboratories and industry including Rolls-Royce, we will speed up the deployment of clean, secure energy, and place the UK and Japan at the forefront of civil nuclear innovation.”