Key steam turbine components for Rolls-Royce SMR’s first three small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Gwyndod project, on Anglesey in North Wales, will be manufactured at Siemens Energy’s Newcastle site. This contract marks the first time SMR components will be produced in Europe and the return of large domestic steam turbine production to the UK for the first time in over 20 years.
The initial high-pressure turbines and valve casings will be manufactured at Siemens Energy’s historic CA Parsons Works site in Byker, Newcastle. This site has a historic legacy dating back to 1889, notably building the steam turbine for Calder Hall at Sellfield, the world’s first commercial NPP, which began generating in 1956.
Backed by an investment worth tens of millions of pounds, the expansion and ongoing contract are expected to support and create more than 550 skilled jobs in the region. Beyond initial manufacturing, the Newcastle site is designated to become the official service hub for Siemens Energy’s core components across the broader planned Rolls-Royce SMR UK fleet.
Rolls-Royce SMR had faced criticism earlier this year after it emerged that some other parts would be made overseas, including reactor pressure vessels that will be imported from either South Korea or the Czech Republic.
Simon Roddy, CEO of Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N), said: “I’m delighted to welcome Siemens to the team delivering the UK’s first SMRs. Manufacturing these major components in Newcastle for our flagship project in North Wales demonstrates that every corner of the UK has a role to play in this programme. I’m particularly proud that we’re sustaining such a vital strategic capability, strengthening both our industrial base and the UK supply chain.”
Miatta Fahnbulleh, Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero, said: “This is what our golden age of nuclear looks like in practice: skilled jobs in Newcastle, stronger British manufacturing and a more secure energy future. Producing these components here in the UK will help strengthen our energy security, reduce our exposure to volatile international gas markets, create new export opportunities for British industry, and reindustrialise the UK.”
In 2025, Rolls-Royce SMR signed a global partnership agreement selecting Siemens Energy as its conventional island technology partner and the exclusive supplier of steam turbines, generators, and auxiliary systems for the SMR fleet.
The Rolls-Royce SMR, a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor, will 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.
The SMR project in Wales is moving forward. Under contracts with GBE-N the three units are to be built at the Wylfa site in Anglesey selected by the government in November 2025. In April 2026 a two-stage delivery contract was signed with (GBE-N) with deployment scheduled for the mid-2030s.
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.
