Great British Energy–Nuclear (GBE-N) has appointed an Arup-led consortium to provide early-phase engineering for the UK’s first small modular reactor (SMR) project at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales.
Arup and its partners will deliver the site-specific concept design, feasibility studies, and “optioneering” to prepare the site for construction. Arup, leading the consortium, is responsible for geotechnical and foundation engineering. LDA Design will lead master planning and environmental integration; Mace Consult wil manage programme implementation, integration, and optimisation; TÜV SÜD Nuclear Technologies will provide expertise in nuclear safety, licensing, and regulatory compliance; and Gleeds will specialise in cost engineering for site and infrastructure development.
The team will work alongside Rolls-Royce SMR, which was selected as the preferred technology partner for the site in June 2025, to deploy three 470 MWe units based on a small pressurised water reactor. The Wylfa SMR project is expected to deliver up to 1.5 GWe of clean power, create 3,000 jobs at peak construction, and begin supplying the grid by the mid-2030s. The project is backed by £2.5bn ($3.34bn) in UK government funding.
This engineering group joins Amentum, who was selected in January to lead the broader delivery programme alongside Turner & Townsend, Hochtief, and Unipart.
Earlier in March, UK land and property consultancy Fisher German secured a contract to provide GBE-N with expert advice during the planning and delivery of its SMR project. The team will provide estate management services in the pre-construction phase, including activities associated with agency and lease arrangements; consents and easements; and estate and asset management.
Jeremy Stain, Nuclear Business Leader at Arup, commented: “The project represents the first of the UK’s anticipated fleet of small modular reactors and aligns with the UK’s energy policy, supporting the need for all available technologies to address carbon reduction and energy security challenges, with nuclear as a vital part of the energy mix.”
GBE-N CEO Simon Roddy said: “Delivering a safe, high-quality, and integrated site-specific design for the UK’s first SMR requires strong collaboration, innovation and precise technical decision making with our Technology and Foundation Engineering Partners. I welcome Arup and their project partners to this landmark nuclear project alongside GBE-N and our preferred technology partner bidder Rolls-Royce SMR.”
