Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a pivotal contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear to deliver the UK’s first generation of Small Modular Reactors, marking a major milestone for both the energy and construction sectors.
The agreement follows the company’s selection as preferred technology partner in June last year, with £2.6 billion earmarked in the 2025 Spending Review to support the wider rollout of the programme.
The first project is set to be developed at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, where construction is expected to support around 3,000 jobs at peak delivery, alongside thousands more across the national supply chain. The scheme represents a significant pipeline of work spanning advanced manufacturing, infrastructure delivery and specialist engineering.
Under the terms of the contract, Rolls-Royce SMR will progress site-specific design, regulatory approvals and planning activities, moving the project closer to a final investment decision. The programme is based on a standardised, factory-built approach, aimed at improving cost efficiency and programme certainty compared with traditional nuclear construction.
The company plans to deliver three SMR units in the UK, with each facility capable of generating enough electricity to power approximately one million homes. The modular nature of the technology is expected to drive demand for off-site manufacturing, logistics hubs and highly specialised industrial facilities.
A consortium including BAM Nuttall, Laing O’Rourke and Atkins is supporting the development of the SMR design, bringing together expertise across engineering, construction and project delivery.
Chris Cholerton, chief executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, said the agreement provides clarity and momentum for the programme, enabling the transition from planning into delivery. He added that the scheme will play a key role in strengthening the UK’s energy security while creating long-term opportunities for the construction sector and domestic supply chain.
The deal highlights the growing importance of nuclear-led infrastructure in driving industrial development, with SMRs positioned to reshape how large-scale energy assets are designed, manufactured and delivered across the UK.
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