• In a move that will boost British energy security, six
companies have today been shortlisted to advance their Small
Modular Reactor (SMR) designs
• In the fastest competition of its kind in the world, final
winners to be announced in Spring 2024
• This new generation of clean, green power will safeguard our
energy security, result in billions of pounds of investment in
the UK and provide thousands of British jobs
Following on from the launch of the UK’s flagship Great British
Nuclear earlier this year, the Secretary of State for Energy
Security and Net Zero, , has today (2nd October)
announced the six companies that have been shortlisted to build
Small Modular Reactors in the UK, with the final decision to be
announced in spring next year.
The companies announced today include Rolls Royce, an iconic
British company – originally founded in Manchester – which has
been powering our nuclear submarines for 70 years. Other
companies announced today are EDF, GE-Hitachi, Holtec, NuScale
Power, and Westinghouse.
Earlier this year, this Conservative government launched the
fastest competition of its kind in the world to select the
successful small modular reactors technologies. This is part of
this government’s plan to revive nuclear power and for the UK to
lead the global race to develop cutting-edge technologies to
deliver cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy.
The successful companies can now bid for government contracts,
with the successful companies being announced in Spring next
year. This will result in billions of pounds of investment in the
UK and provide thousands of jobs.
Unlike Labour, we are proud to back nuclear to secure our
long-term security and prosperity, as well as providing thousands
of British jobs around the UK. Labour’s energy plan will
sacrifice our energy security, jobs and the UK’s economic growth
at the altar of climate radicalism. As well as backing SMRs
and other emerging nuclear technologies, this Conservative
government is also investing in large-scale projects like
Sizewell C and Hinkley Point C.
Every operational Nuclear Power Station in the UK has been
commissioned under a Conservative government. It is the
Conservatives who made the historic decision to revitalise the UK
nuclear industry by investing £700 million in Sizewell C, the
first state backing of a major nuclear project since Margaret
Thatcher’s government. This project alone will support 10,000
jobs, and provide reliable, low-carbon power to the equivalent of
6 million homes for over 60 years.
Commenting, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero,
said: “I am pleased
to announce the six companies who have been shortlisted to build
Small Modular Reactors here in the UK, including our own
Rolls-Royce. This competition has attracted designs from around
the world and will help to safeguard our energy security while
growing the economy and providing thousands of British jobs.
“Unlike Labour, we are proud to back nuclear to secure our
long-term security and prosperity.”
