Warsaw-based developer SGE, founded by industrialist Michał Sołowow, has submitted plans to build a 4.2 GWe fleet of 14 small modular reactors (SMRs) in the UK, representing Britain’s largest privately-led nuclear investment. SGE has established SGE SMR UK Limited as its dedicated UK-based project vehicle.
The proposal was submitted under the UK government’s Advanced Nuclear Framework (ANF) established in February. The proposed capacity of 4.2 GWe is enough to fulfil 11% of total UK electricity demand. The project is poised to place SGE in direct competition with state-backed programmes, such as the Rolls-Royce SMR initiative
SGE has selected GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR for the project. The GVH BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR featuring passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GVH’s US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-certified ESBWR boiling water reactor design and its existing, licensed GNF2 fuel design. The BWRX-300 has completed Step 2 of the UK’s Generic Design Assessment.
The fleet will span three multi-unit sites. The first location will house six units, with the remaining eight split across two subsequent sites. SGE expects the project to enter the Advanced Nuclear Pipeline in late 2026, finish site selection in 2027, and achieve first commercial operations by 2034.
The UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline is an official government register and structured pathway designed to vet and support commercial, privately led advanced nuclear projects introduced under the ANF. It acts as a gatekeeping mechanism to separate highly viable commercial projects from speculative concepts.
The deployment team includes major engineering, tech, and energy entities. SGE & SGE SMR UK Limited are lead developer and dedicated project vehicle. GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy is providing the reactor technology. Laing O’Rourke and Samsung C&T are civil engineering, modular construction, and delivery partners.
Global infrastructure firm Aecon Group brings experience from building the same SMR model at Canada’s Darlington project. Google Cloud is a strategic partner collaborating on data infrastructure, including an adjacent proposal for up to £4.5bn in co-located data centres. Fermi Development and Etara will provide specialised nuclear development and consultancy support. An as yet unnamed experienced nuclear operator will handle live plant management.
The £35bn ($46.4bn) will be privately financed and a Contracts for Difference (CfD) arrangement means there will be no cost to UK taxpayers during construction. The £35bn will be raised through a combination of sources. As the project’s main backer, SGE will provide the initial high-risk equity capital to clear licensing, purchase land, and advance through the GDA.
Co-developers and heavy industrial giants in the deployment team are expected to take equity stakes or bring corporate financing packages to the table. Once the UK government officially places the project into the Advanced Nuclear Pipeline and approves a CfD revenue deal, SGE will raise the bulk of the £35bn by tapping international debt markets, infrastructure funds, and pension funds.
SGE’s strategy relies on the UK’s National Wealth Fund (NWF) acting as a cornerstone investor. The fund’s primary job is to “crowd in” private banks by providing state-backed loan guarantees or secondary debt facilities, making it vastly easier for SGE to secure the necessary multi-billion-pound commercial loans. Ultimately, SGE acts as the architect of the deal, using the UK government’s guaranteed power pricing framework to attract global financiers to fund the actual construction.
SGE founder Michał Sołowow noted: “The UK is home to one of the world’s most experienced nuclear workforce and the British Government has provided a clear path to market with the Advanced Nuclear Framework. Because of this, I am confident we will set a new standard for nuclear development by combining our disruptive business model with the BWRX-300’s tenth generation proven technology. We will rely strongly on the UK supply chain; it is a critical element for our project. Our project will create a distinct competitive advantage for UK economy.”
Jason Cooper, CEO of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, said: “SGE’s vision reflects the growing momentum behind new nuclear across Europe and the critical role SMRs can play in strengthening energy security while delivering reliable, lower-carbon electricity. With construction already underway at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario, Canada, the first commercial-scale SMR under construction in the Western world, the BWRX-300 offers the confidence that comes from real project execution. We are proud to support SGE as they pursue this important opportunity in the UK.”
