Rolls-Royce names delivery partner for UK’s first mini nuclear power station

Rolls-Royce has announced the programme delivery partner for its first mini nuclear power station in the UK.

Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a collaborative agreement with global advanced engineering and technology group Amentum.

It means Amentum will be responsible for the integration, oversight and governance, construction management and execution of SMR (Small Modular Reactor) deployment.

Last year, Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as the preferred bidder by Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE‑N) to build three units in the UK.

Rolls-Royce SMR will deliver up to 1.5GW of low-carbon energy to the grid, supporting the UK’s net zero goals and creating more than 8,000 jobs.

Chris Cholerton, chief executive at Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “This partnership plays directly to our strengths – ours in advanced manufacturing and engineering, and theirs in programme and construction excellence.

“It is a truly synergistic relationship that strengthens our overall offering.”

John Heller, chief executive at Amentum, said: “The Amentum Rolls-Royce SMR collaboration advances the deployment of this transformational technology, a critical enabler in strengthening energy security in the UK and continental Europe.”

Amentum will immediately work on ensuring successful delivery of the first Rolls-Royce SMRs in the UK and Czech Republic.

In partnership with Rolls-Royce SMR, the company will deploy its full nuclear life cycle experience, overseeing programme execution and integrated planning to support the delivery of SMR-generated power.

Amentum was part of a consortium of supply chain companies that began working with Rolls-Royce in 2016 to develop a new kind of modular power station to meet the growing need for nuclear generated electricity.

Amentum is supported in this role by supply chain partners Turner & Townsend, Hochtief, Mace Consult and Unipart.

Mr Heller added: “Amentum brings its industry-leading expertise as a project delivery partner for complex energy infrastructure to the forefront of small modular reactor deployment, ushering in the next generation of clean, reliable energy.”

Ruth Todd, Rolls-Royce SMR’s operations and supply chain director, added: “Partnering with Amentum to successfully deliver the Rolls-Royce SMR programme is an important moment for us.

“This partnership supplements our existing capabilities with specialist expertise, geographical reach and provides access to the breadth of Amentum’s wider supply chain.”