Rolls-Royce SMR, which includes Laing O’Rourke and BAM Nuttall, has been named as the selected technology in the Great British Nuclear small modular reactor competition to build the UK’s next generation of nuclear power stations.
Selected following a two-year competition run by Great British Nuclear (GBN), the small modular reactors (SMRs) will be British designed and built and will, it has said, create 3,000 jobs, boost the supply chain, and create growth for the economy.
Rolls-Royce SMR was selected ahead of a number of unsuccessful international SMR bids, including US-headquartered Holtec, whose team included Hyundai E&C, Balfour Beatty, and Mott MacDonald.
US headquartered firm GE Hitachi also made a bid, while States-based Westinghouse Electric Company dropped out of the running.
The Rolls-Royce consortium includes nuclear engineering, construction and infrastructure expertise in Assystem, Atkins, BAM Nuttall, Jacobs, Laing O’Rourke, National Nuclear Laboratory, Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Rolls-Royce, and TWI.
Chris Cholerton, chief executive at Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “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.
“We are the only SMR company with multiple commitments to build projects in Europe, testament to our differentiated design and compelling offer.”
The government has pledged more than £2.5 billion for the overall small modular reactor programme in this spending review period.
It follows government reforms to planning rules to make it easier to build nuclear across the country, as well as the pledge today (10 June) to invest £14.2 billion to build nuclear plant Sizewell C after years of delay and difficulties also creating 10,000 jobs.
The government is also looking to provide a route for private sector-led advanced UK nuclear projects, alongside £300 million investment to develop the world’s first non-Russian supply of the advanced fuels needed to run them.
Unite, the UK’s leading trade union, representing workers in construction, engineering and energy, welcomed the multi-billion investment alongside the SMR green light.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said it had led the campaign for both developments and supported more investment.
“Workers will be relieved that the investment has finally been secured,” she said.
“The Sizewell C and SMR announcements must only be a first step towards serious and sustained investment in UK nuclear power to end the instability in our energy sector,” she said.
“The promise of small modular sectors must be backed alongside investment in fusion energy, and the government also needs to commit to building a new nuclear power station at Wylfa.”
Rolls-Royce SMR aims to sign a contract later this year and form a development company for the work, as well as be allocated a site.
The projects are hoped to be connected to the grid in the mid-2030s.
Once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with the new station at Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more nuclear to the grid than over the previous half century.
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