Rolls-Royce SMR has formally signed its contract with Great British Energy, moving the UK’s first small modular reactor programme from preferred bidder status into site-specific design, regulatory engagement and planning at Wylfa.
Wylfa first as three-unit UK programme takes shape
Rolls-Royce SMR has signed the contract to deliver the UK’s first small modular reactors, following its selection as preferred technology partner last June. The agreement with Great British Energy – Nuclear advances the programme towards detailed development work, with the first project set for Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales.
The wider programme received £2.6bn in the 2025 Spending Review. Rolls-Royce SMR is expected to deliver three units in the UK, with each unit generating enough electricity to power one million homes.
Design, planning and regulatory work now begins
The contract commits Rolls-Royce SMR to a series of key milestones as it begins site-specific design, regulatory engagement and the planning process, ahead of a future Final Investment Decision.
For industrialised construction, the significance is clear. The programme is framed around a standardised, factory-built approach intended to improve cost and schedule certainty on a major piece of national infrastructure.
The Wylfa project is expected to support around 3,000 jobs at peak construction, alongside thousands more across the wider UK supply chain.
Consortium already in place
BAM Nuttall, Laing O’Rourke and Atkins are part of the consortium developing the SMR design.
Chris Cholerton, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, said:
“This contract unlocks the delivery of our first three units and brings certainty to the UK SMR programme.
“We are transforming the way nuclear projects are delivered, to give greater cost and schedule certainty with a standardised, factory-built approach.
“This project is important to the UK’s energy security and will power up our business and the UK supply chain, and we are excited by the opportunity and are focused on successful delivery.”
