A breakthrough UK-US nuclear deal looks set to accelerate nuclear new build with multiple SMR projects and agreements on tighter collaboration on regulatory frameworks.
Announced as a ‘golden age’ of nuclear, the deals between US and UK companies have been enabled by a new agreement between the US and UK governments. Known as the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, this agreement is expected to be signed during a state visit to the UK by US president Donald Trump this week.
The agreement will make it quicker for companies to build new nuclear power stations in both countries by accelerating the licensing process. The UK government suggests project licensing period will drop from roughly three or four years to more like two.
Under the UK-US nuclear deal, both countries will fast-track reactor design checks, meaning if a reactor passes safety checks in one country, this work can be used by the other to support its assessment, avoiding duplicating work.
Referring to closer regulatory collaboration, Mike Finnerty, Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear Inspector of the Office for Nuclear Regulation said: “The opportunities presented through the refreshed Memorandum of Understanding, and new collaborative way of working outlined in the partnership agreement, clearly reaffirm our shared commitment to effective, safe and secure nuclear operations. We have had a strong relationship with US counterparts for many years, and we look forward to developing greater collaboration to optimise the collective regulatory efforts in the best interests of our two nations”.
A key element of the deal relates to energy security as the partnership agrees to eliminate any last dependencies on Russian nuclear material by the end of 2028. Working jointly with the US, the UK aims to boost the resilience of its fuel supply chains and break reliance on Russian energy sources.
The partnership also extends to fusion through coordinated experimental programmes to develop advanced simulation tools, whilst test facilities will fast-track progress towards commercial fusion power.
Among the specific deals announced, X-Energy and Centrica have revealed plans to build up to 12 SMRs at the Hartlepool NPP site with a follow-on UK wide programme for a 6 GW nuclear power fleet. In addition, Holtec, EDF and Tritax have revealed plans to develop advanced data centres powered by small modular reactors at the site of the decommissioned Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire. Holtec estimate the project value to be around £11bn (US$14.5bn). Furthermore, Last Energy and DP World are to establish a micro modular nuclear power plant, backed by £80m ($100m) in private investment for the expansion of DP World’s London Gateway port and business park.
Urenco and Radiant have also signed a deal, worth around £4m ($5m), to supply advanced HALEU fuel to the US market on the back of Urenco’s Advanced Fuels Facility being built in the UK.
In another trans-Atlantic SMR deal, TerraPower and KBR are to conduct studies and evaluate sites in the UK for the deployment of the Natrium advanced reactor technology.
Commenting, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “These major commitments set us well on course to a golden age of nuclear that… puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment.”
In a statement US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said: “The United States is ushering in a true nuclear renaissance – harnessing the power of commercial nuclear to meet rising energy demand and fuel the AI revolution. Meeting this demand will require strong partnerships with our allies around the world and robust collaboration with private sector innovators. Today’s commercial deals set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the US and UK, enhancing global energy security, strengthening US energy dominance, and securing nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic”.
