Decision on nuclear power stations moves closer

Great British Nuclear has announced it has entered the final stage of the UK’s Small Modular Reactor selection process, with Rolls-Royce very much in the running.

An Invitation to Submit Final Tender has been issued to the four remaining vendors, which includes Rolls-Royce SMR – and a decision is expected this spring.

Last month, Prime Minister Kier Starmer pledged to put Britain back in the global race for nuclear energy, and to reform planning rules to make it easier to build fleets of SMRs in England and Wales.

SMRs are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants and their modular construction could provide a way of delivering nuclear more quickly and cost-effectively.

They could also be built in a greater variety of locations and be co-located with energy-intensive industrial sites such as AI data centres.

Simon Bowen, chair of Great British Nuclear, said: “This is an exciting moment for Great British Nuclear and the UK as we reach the final stage of the technology selection process for the Small Modular Reactor programme.

“Nuclear energy is vital for economic growth and delivering secure, reliable, home-generated power that is capable of meeting future demand, enabling Net Zero, and reducing the UK’s dependence on importing fossil fuels.”