Great British Energy – Nuclear has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) in the UK, pending final governmental approvals and contract agreement.
The development follows a rigorous two-year competition to choose nuclear technology for deployment in the UK, aimed at generating clean energy for the country through a publicly-owned company.
The competition result paves the way for cost reduction and attracting private investment – key steps towards the UK’s goal of achieving one of the earliest SMR fleets in Europe.
Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBN), previously known as Great British Nuclear, is an allied company of Great British Energy. The two publicly owned companies will focus on expanding clean energy production across the UK.
Contracts between Rolls-Royce SMR and Great British Energy – Nuclear are expected to be signed by the end of 2025, following which the two companies will form a development company.
Great British Energy – Nuclear also plans to allocate a site in 2024 to connect projects to the grid by mid-2030s.
Simon Bowen, chairman of Great British Energy – Nuclear, stated: “This announcement is a defining moment for the UK’s energy and industrial future.
“By selecting a preferred bidder, we are taking a decisive step toward delivering clean, secure and sovereign power. This is about more than energy—it’s about revitalising British industry, creating thousands of skilled jobs, and building a platform for long-term economic growth.”
The UK government has pledged more than £2.5bn ($3.38bn) for the overall SMR programme during the current spending review period.
The project could create up to 3,000 skilled jobs and provide enough clean power for three million homes.
It represents one of the biggest nuclear rollouts, designed to boost energy security while protecting household finances across Britain.
With SMRs and Sizewell C to become operational in the 2030s alongside Hinkley Point C’s new station, more nuclear power will be added to the grid than in any previous years.
Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive Chris Cholerton stated: “This success is testament to our incredible team, which has developed a world-leading technology and worked tirelessly over the last two years to ensure we could provide a winning tender to GBN.
“As well as delivering affordable, clean energy to support our nation’s energy independence – deploying three of our units will drive domestic growth by creating thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs and supply chain opportunities.”
In 2024, Rolls-Royce SMR partnered with the University of Sheffield to create a new manufacturing and testing facility in South Yorkshire for mini nuclear reactors.
