Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE‑N) has signed a contract with Rolls‑Royce SMR, formally commencing expertise design actions that may allow the supply of the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a part of the Government’s clear power mission.
The UK’s first SMR challenge is estimated to help round 3,000 jobs at peak building and 1000’s extra throughout the UK provide chain, strengthening nationwide power safety and supporting lengthy‑time period financial development for native communities.
Rolls-Royce SMR was chosen as the popular expertise accomplice in June 2025, and £2.6 billion was allotted within the 2025 Spending Review to allow this contract and wider programme supply.
Since then, the GBE-N and Rolls-Royce SMR groups have labored intensively to finalise the contract, unlocking the subsequent section of the programme. The contract would require Rolls-Royce SMR to work with GBE-N to ship towards key milestones because it commences website-particular design, regulatory engagement, and planning processes, forward of a future Final Investment Decision.
The present battle within the Middle East is yet one more reminder that the one path to power safety and sovereignty for the UK is to finish dependence on fossil gasoline markets, and speed up the transition to scrub, homegrown energy.
GBE-N has already awarded over £350 million in contracts throughout the provision chain this yr, together with among the UK’s main corporations.
Simon Bowen, Chair of Great British Energy – Nuclear, mentioned:
“This is an immense second for the UK nuclear programme, our organisation, and the trade as a complete.
“Today 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.”
Simon Roddy, CEO of Great British Energy – Nuclear, added:
“This settlement is a landmark second for the nuclear trade. Working with Rolls-Royce SMR, we’re bringing a big lengthy-time period funding to the UK industrial provide chain.
“Supporting skills, innovation and growing our industrial capability is essential to this partnership, and will ensure the UK is well-placed to deliver the next generation of nuclear infrastructure.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves mentioned:
“This funding, together with very important financing from the National Wealth Fund, will strengthen our power safety, create expert jobs and assist to construct a brand new era of homegrown nuclear expertise that may energy our financial system for many years to return.
“We have the right economic plan – one where growth and clean energy go hand in hand – and one that will benefit everyone across the country.”
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband mentioned:
“At a time of worldwide instability, this can be a main milestone for Britain’s power safety.
“We are backing a British firm to ship our first small modular reactors – making a era of fine jobs, driving development and offering clear, homegrown energy for many years to return.
“Our clean energy mission is the only route to getting off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels and take back control of our energy independence.”
Chris Cholerton, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, mentioned:
“This contract unlocks the supply of our first three items and brings certainty to the UK SMR programme. With plans for as much as six additional items in Czechia, this announcement makes Rolls-Royce SMR the one firm with a number of commitments in Europe.
“We are transforming the way nuclear projects are delivered, to give greater cost and schedule certainty with a standardised, factory-built approach. This project is important to the UK’s energy security and will power up our business and the UK supply chain, and we are excited by the opportunity and are focused on successful delivery.”
National Wealth Fund CEO, Oliver Holbourn, mentioned:
“Today’s announcement marks a big second for the way forward for our nuclear trade. The improvement and deployment of Rolls-Royce SMR’s expertise right here within the UK will create 1000’s of jobs and pave the way in which for an reasonably priced, cleaner, and safer power system.
“This is exactly what the National Wealth Fund has been established to deliver, backing promising homegrown projects and technologies that will deliver transformational impacts.”
SMRs symbolize a brand new era of nuclear energy, delivering confirmed expertise via standardised, modular, manufacturing facility‑constructed parts. This strategy reduces supply danger, shortens building timelines, and minimises native environmental disruption. The three-unit challenge will generate a minimum of 1.4GWe, supplying sufficient steady, clear electrical energy to energy the equal of round three million of immediately’s properties for greater than 60 years.
In addition, the National Wealth Fund is committing as much as £599m to Rolls-Royce SMR to help the event of its small modular reactors. By supporting British nuclear expertise, the Fund is enjoying a crucial function in rising investor confidence, enabling export and serving to to crowd in further non-public capital to fund the event of this new expertise right here within the UK.
About GBE-N
Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) performs a key function in strengthening the UK’s power safety for development. We are an arm’s-size physique of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), devoted to supporting the event and deployment of latest nuclear applied sciences within the UK. We ship, allow and advise on new nuclear tasks that present dependable, low-value energy, strengthen power safety and drive nationwide development.
For additional data please contact Ieuan Williams, Head of Communications, GBE-N: ieuan.williams@greatbritishnuclear.uk.
