Story Highlight
– Starmer and Trump sign nuclear technology agreement.
– Regulatory approval time for projects reduced to two years.
– X-Energy and Centrica plan 12 modular reactors in UK.
– Agreement expected to create 2,500 jobs in Hartlepool.
– IAEA projects significant growth in global nuclear capacity.
Full Story
SIR KEIR STARMER and former US President Donald Trump have formalized a collaborative agreement aimed at advancing nuclear technology, alongside various commercial partnerships between businesses in both countries. The Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy was signed during Trump’s recent state visit to the UK, with the objective of expediting regulatory approval processes for nuclear power initiatives. This agreement facilitates the sharing of assessment results, particularly focusing on next-generation nuclear technologies and small modular reactors (SMRs).
The nuclear industry has welcomed this deal, recognizing it as a significant move towards enhancing transatlantic collaboration in nuclear development between the UK and the United States. The terms of the agreement permit regulatory approvals gained in one nation to aid reactor assessments in the other, potentially reducing the time needed to obtain a nuclear project license from three to four years down to just two.
Among the commercial partnerships launched in conjunction with the state visit is a collaboration between American nuclear reactor designer X-Energy and Centrica, which owns British Gas, the UK’s second-largest electricity supplier. This partnership plans to establish up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, northeast England, with a projected combined output of 960 megawatts—enough energy to supply around 1.5 million homes. They also intend to implement a nationwide program to deliver up to 6 gigawatts of nuclear power generation.
The initiative is expected to create approximately 2,500 jobs and ensure a continuing nuclear presence in Hartlepool beyond 2028, when the existing power station is set for decommissioning. J Clay Sell, CEO of X-Energy, emphasized the town’s strong professional base and support services to propel the new generation of nuclear technology.
Advanced modular reactors (AMRs) represent a new approach, utilizing fourth-generation designs cooled by innovative materials such as molten salts or gases, rather than traditional water systems. The first large-scale operation of such technology began only in 2023, when China’s helium-cooled HTR-PM reactor commenced commercial activities. The higher temperature capabilities of these coolant methods make AMRs an attractive solution for producing low-carbon process heat. X-Energy’s Xe-100 reactors, intended for installation in Hartlepool, can achieve temperatures of up to 750°C, enabling each unit to produce 80 megawatts of electricity or 200 megawatts of process heat, with an impressive operational lifespan of 60 years.
Business collaboration between American and British companies has seen notable growth, particularly since UK aerospace and defense firm Rolls-Royce formed a partnership with US supplier BWXT last year. This alliance seeks to develop nuclear fission systems for space missions operated by both nations. Rolls-Royce SMR is already designated to construct the UK’s first three commercial small modular reactors and has begun its regulatory submission to the US authorities.
Further partnerships announced recently include:
– A collaboration between Holtec and EDF, the UK’s sole commercial nuclear operator, alongside property developer Tritax, to develop SMR-powered data centers at the former Cottam coal power station site in Nottinghamshire.
– A joint venture between Last Energy and UK port operator DP World to introduce a micro nuclear power station for the London Gateway port expansion.
– An agreement where Urenco, a majority UK and Dutch government-owned uranium enrichment firm, will furnish US microreactor developer Radiant with high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel.
– Plans by US companies TerraPower and KBR to evaluate potential sites in the UK for sodium-cooled Natrium reactors.
Nuclear power’s contribution to the UK’s electricity grid has declined from 25% in the 1990s to around 15% currently, with several aging facilities undergoing decommissioning in the coming decade. Starmer and UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband have expressed optimism that this partnership signals a “golden age” for nuclear energy in Britain. The agreement complements recent commitments from the UK government, which pledged £11.5 billion to the Sizewell C nuclear facility and £2.5 billion for Rolls-Royce SMR.
The nuclear collaboration is set against a backdrop of a positive outlook from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which recently revised global nuclear power forecasts upwards for the fifth consecutive year. It anticipates that global capacity will rise from 377 gigawatts in 2024 to between 561 and 992 gigawatts by 2050, with SMRs expected to contribute significantly, potentially accounting for up to 24% of new capacity. Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director General, stated that these projections demonstrate a broad consensus regarding the essential role of nuclear power in achieving sustainable, reliable energy globally.
