Rolls-Royce has finally got the go ahead to build a small modular reactor (SMR).

Rolls-Royce SMR signed a contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) that paves the way for the design and delivery of the first small modular reactors (SMRs) in the UK.

The two-stage contract with GBE-N will enable site-specific design activity and preparations for the site build at Wylfa, as well as allowing Rolls-Royce SMR to order long lead-time equipment from the supply chain. The contract brings certainty to the UK SMR programme and differentiates Rolls-Royce SMR as the only company with multiple commitments in Europe.

Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, Rolls-Royce, said: “This is a critical milestone for Rolls-Royce SMR, for Rolls-Royce and for the UK as the Government looks to realise its ambition of a ‘golden age’ of new nuclear. It is a vote of confidence in our unique nuclear capabilities and further evidence that the strategic choices we have made in the transformation of Rolls-Royce are delivering. It also provides crucial contractual certainty in our domestic market that will unlock the opportunity to deploy a global fleet of Rolls-Royce SMRs.”

Rolls-Royce says that the contract with GBE-N will help Rolls-Royce SMR retain its crucial first mover advantage in a market that is growing and attracting significant international interest.

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