Rolls-Royce SMR has entered into a significant contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to advance the design and delivery of the United Kingdom’s first small modular reactors.
This two-stage agreement focuses on site-specific preparations for the Wylfa site in North Wales, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously confirmed the placement of three units. Beyond design activity, the contract empowers Rolls-Royce to begin ordering long lead-time equipment, providing a vital boost to the domestic supply chain and ensuring the programme’s momentum.
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of Rolls-Royce, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal for both the company and the nation’s energy future, “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.”
The agreement strengthens the firm’s position as a European leader in the sector, following a similar early works agreement with the Czech utility CEZ Group. By securing contractual certainty in the UK, Rolls-Royce aims to leverage this domestic success to deploy a fleet of modular reactors globally, promising high-skilled job creation and enhanced energy security.
