Switzerland-based global engineering firm ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on scaling up production of small modular reactors (SMRs) using a standardised, factory-built deployment model.
The Rolls-Royce SMR, a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor, is intended to provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years. Some 90% of the SMR will be built in factory conditions, limiting on-site activity to assembly of prefabricated, pre-tested, modules, which has the potential to drastically shorten build schedules.
ABB, operating out of its UK facilities in Warrington, will integrate its specialised automation, electrification, instrumentation, and communication technologies to help move the reactor design from bespoke construction into a highly scalable, repeatable fleet production model.
ABB is evaluating its complete suite of automation, electrification, instrumentation, and communication systems across three internal business units. By integrating the control room systems, power distribution networks, and digital monitoring early in the factory fabrication stage, they eliminate the custom programming typically required on-site, drastically reducing project cost risks. This architecture creates a standardised blueprint, allowing operators to run different units across global fleets using identical digital infrastructure.
The initiative aims to lower the standard project risks, cost overruns, and construction delays associated with traditional nuclear plants, aligning with international goals to scale global SMR capacity to between 40 GWe and 120 GWe by 2050.
“Rolls-Royce SMR is transforming the way nuclear projects are delivered, to give greater cost and schedule certainty with a standardised, factory-built approach,” said Stacy O’Brien, Head of Procurement Enterprise at Rolls-Royce SMR. “ABB has a long and impressive record of delivering automation and electrification solutions to energy infrastructure projects and this agreement brings an opportunity to consider how we can further strengthen our delivery team.”
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries Division, noted: “We are delighted to explore how we can work with Rolls-Royce SMR on its efforts to develop a global fleet of SMRs that can help expand reliable and affordable baseload power capacity to meet an increasing demand for low-carbon energy,” said “Collaboration is also key – no single company or country alone can deliver the scale of energy expansion and energy transformation required to meet future demand. Partnerships along the energy value chain are instrumental for accelerating the commercialisation of modern, advanced nuclear technologies.”
Rolls-Royce SMR has established several key global partnerships to build out its factory-packaged supply chain. Over 70% of the SMR’s value is intended to be sourced locally from standard, off-the-shelf and factory-built commodities rather than bespoke on-site engineering.
Germany-based Siemens Energy is acting as the sole global partner for turbine systems, Siemens Energy is manufacturing the high-pressure steam turbines, generators, and auxiliary systems. These components are being built at Siemens Energy’s CA Parsons Works in Newcastle, England.
Heavy engineering firm Škoda JS (Czech Republic), a subsidiary of the ČEZ Group, is contracted to handle design finalisation and manufacture the core reactor pressure vessel bodies, reactor internals, and primary circuit machinery. Doosan Enerbility (South Korea): partnered alongside Škoda JS, shares the manufacturing load for heavy forgings and the primary reactor pressure vessel components.
BWX Technologies/BWXT Canada (USA/Canada) is contracted to deliver the intricate nuclear steam generators. Operating out of Ontario, BWXT’s role is to adapt their specialised commercial steam layout into the standardised, modular framework required for the SMR fleet.
Westinghouse Electric Company (USA/UK) is contracted to support the complete design, engineering, and fuel-element development specifically for the pressurised water reactor framework of the Rolls-Royce SMR fleet. This directly supports the UK nuclear supply chain – Westinghouse operates the Springfields fuel fabrication facility in Lancashire opening a path to manufacture the SMR fuel domestically.
Rolls-Royce SMR has already launched site-specific design activities for its first three units planned for the Wylfa site in North Wales, partnering with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N). The Wylfa project is the UK’s frontline SMR initiative. In April 2026 a two-stage delivery contract was signed with (GBE-N) with deployment scheduled for the mid-2030s. Commercial low-carbon power generation and full grid connection are projected to go live around 2035.
Rolls-Royce SMR also has projects in the Czech Republic and Sweden. In April an Early Works Contract (EWC) was signed with Czech power company ČEZ Group enabling work to start on the first SMR at the Temelín NPP site. This is based on a 2024 strategic partnership between Rolls‑Royce SMR and to deploy up to 3 GWe in the Czech Republic. In July a memorandum of understanding was signed with ČEZ and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade enabling site preparation activities at two additional locations – the Tušimice site (Ústí nad Labem region) and the Dětmarovice site (Moravian-Silesian region).
In Sweden, Videberg Kraft (majority-owned by Vattenfall) selected Rolls-Royce SMR in June to deliver three reactors (1,500 MWe) for the Ringhals site. Early-stage planning and supply chain engagement is underway for deployment in the mid-2030s.
In the UK, the SMR architecture has successfully progressed through the rigorous Generic Design Assessment (GDA) overseen by the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). To streamline European expansion, the ONR has brought in nuclear safety regulators from Czechia, Sweden, Finland, Poland, and the Netherlands to officially observe the GDA proceedings. This direct observation accelerates subsequent local licensing as early works contracts begin with ČEZ (Czechia) and Videberg Kraft (Sweden).
