US-based engineering and technology company Amentum has been selected as the programme delivery partner for the first deployments of the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor (SMR). Rolls-Royce SMR and Amentum have signed a collaborative agreement giving Amentum the programme delivery role responsible for integration, oversight and governance, construction management and execution of SMR deployment.
The Rolls-Royce SMR, a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor, will 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 pre-fabricated, pre-tested, modules which has the potential to drastically shorten build schedules.
Amentum will work on ensuring successful delivery of the first Rolls-Royce SMRs in the UK and Czech Republic. In partnership with Rolls-Royce SMR, the company will deploy its full nuclear life cycle experience to oversee multi-functional programme execution and integrated planning to support the on-time and on-budget delivery of SMR-generated power.
Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as preferred bidder in the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) SMR competition and by European utility, ČEZ, to build up to three gigawatts of new nuclear power in the Czech Republic. GBE-N recently announced that Wylfa on Ynys Mon (Anglesey) was selected as the site for the UK’s first small modular reactors.
Amentum was part of a consortium of supply chain companies that began working with Rolls-Royce in 2016 to develop a modular power station to meet the growing need for nuclear generated electricity.
“The Amentum Rolls-Royce SMR collaboration advances the deployment of this transformational technology, a critical enabler in strengthening energy security in the UK and continental Europe,” said Amentum CEO John Heller. Loren Jones, Senior Vice President and head of Amentum’s Energy and Environment-International Business said: “Amentum’s deep nuclear expertise and robust supplier network are ideal to support growing energy requirements and drive long-term industrial growth.”
Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Chris Cholerton stated: “By working with Amentum, an established and experienced global nuclear leader, we are combining our skills to build a powerful team that will enable successful delivery on our order commitments in multiple markets…. This partnership plays directly to our strengths – ours in advanced manufacturing and engineering, and theirs in programme and construction excellence. It is a truly synergistic relationship that strengthens our overall offering.”
Ruth Todd, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Operations & Supply Chain Director said: “This partnership supplements our existing capabilities with specialist expertise, geographical reach and provides access to the breadth of Amentum’s wider supply chain. It ensures we are equipped to deliver our programs in the UK, Czech Republic, in Sweden and globally with confidence, scale and robust delivery assurance. The Amentum-Rolls-Royce SMR collaboration advances our deployment plans significantly.”
In the UK, Amentum is also the delivery partner for programme, project and construction management services at Hinkley Point C and sole programme and project management delivery partner at Sizewell C. Amentum supports the UK’s existing nuclear power stations under a Lifetime Enterprise Agreement with EDF and is a major supplier of engineering design, safety case and project management at Sellafield and other UK nuclear decommissioning sites. It operates the UK’s largest private sector complex of nuclear laboratories and engineering test facilities in Warrington.
