London and Washington are set to agree on a joint expansion of nuclear power, including building new reactors and investing in SMRs.
UK, US launch nuclear partnership
Britain and the US will sign a strategic nuclear cooperation agreement during Donald Trump’s state visit this week. London hopes the partnership will help attract new investment in major projects and speed up reactor construction.
Britain’s nuclear policy
Keir Starmer’s government has already pledged £14bn ($19bn) to build the Sizewell C nuclear power plant and is pushing ahead with Rolls-Royce’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project. The focus is now on a transatlantic partnership that should provide access to US technology and capital.
New reactors and data centres
Centrica is expected to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in the north-east of England, in partnership with US-based X-Energy. A separate £11bn ($15bn) project will see data centres powered by SMRs on the site of the former Cottam coal-fired power station. Holtec International, EDF and developer Tritax will join the project.
“These commitments bring us closer to a golden age of nuclear power, which will reduce household bills in the long term,” Starmer said.
Faster licences and jobs
A key element of the collaboration will be mutual recognition of regulatory reviews. If a reactor is approved in one country, the results can be used in another, cutting the licensing time from 3-4 years to 2 years.
Holtec and EDF say their project will create thousands of jobs in the UK. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce has announced the start of the US certification process for its SMR, paving the way for new investment in the US.
Nuclear fuel for the US
Among the additional agreements is a contract with the UK’s Urenco to supply the US with a new type of low-enriched uranium, which should enhance energy security.
