Great British Nuclear (GBN), the government’s expert body for nuclear energy projects, has today announced it is entering final negotiations with four companies as part of the UK’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme.
The shortlisted bidders – GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls Royce SMR, and Westinghouse – were selected after a rigorous two-stage evaluation process that examined each design’s potential to support a fleet of SMRs in the UK.
Each of the four designs has undergone extensive analysis by GBN’s technical experts, who reviewed critical aspects including safety, scalability and deliverability.
The goal of the SMR programme is to identify and support advanced nuclear technology that can contribute to the UK’s energy mix, complementing renewable sources and enhancing energy security.
GBN’s Chair, Simon Bowen said: “This is a significant moment for the SMR programme. Our technical experts have assessed each design in detail and are very confident these SMRs could play a key role in the UK’s future energy mix.
“The negotiation phase will enable us to select the absolute best technologies on the best terms for the UK.”
