SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Rolls-Royce pre-selects three sites for SMR

Rolls-Royce announced that it has shortlisted three sites to host its first small nuclear reactor (SNR) plant.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Rolls-Royce announced that it has shortlisted three sites to host its first small nuclear reactor (SNR) plant.

A thoughtful choice

Rolls-Royce has selected three sites for its SMR plant. It will produce components to develop a fleet of small modular reactors designed and built in the UK. The company announced its intention to develop SMRs in the UK last year.

The three sites selected are the International Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sunderland, Teesworks in Teesside, and Gateway in Deeside. These locations were chosen after a series of visits and assessments to ensure the suitability of each site to host the first plant. Rolls-Royce plans to build at least three such plants.

The creation of these Rolls-Royce RSM plants will have local economic benefits. It will be accompanied by the creation of a significant number of qualified jobs. Moreover, it represents an opportunity for the selected territory in the transition to zero carbon.

An economic dynamic

Rolls-Royce develops and designs its SMRs in collaboration with Atkins. These plants will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low-carbon energy. The project is supported by £210 million from the UK government.

Other private funding sources are supporting the project, including the Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund. Doha’s investment amounts to £250 million. Rolls-Royce last month identified four priority sites for the deployment of its SMRs.

Rolls-Royce SMR Managing Director Tom Samson says:

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the selection process and congratulate the three individuals who made the final list. This is part of the process of building the first of at least three plants that will manufacture components for a fleet of SMRs and present an incredible opportunity for a region of the UK. Our power plants will be built in UK factories located in the north of England or Wales and will generate tens of thousands of highly skilled jobs over the long term, accelerating regional economic growth.”

The sites are Wylfa Newydd in Wales, Oldbury, Sellafield, and Trawsfnydd. Currently, Rolls-Royce is awaiting UK regulatory approval for its SMR, with a response expected in mid-2024.

 

  • Popular on energynews.pro
InCommodities signs 15-year storage deal with AMPYR in Australia
South Africa inaugurates transmission station to integrate 900 MW of renewables
Aksa Enerji to build 119 MW thermal power plant in Burkina Faso
TEPCO could restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant as early as January
Canada reforms Energy Efficiency Act to align policy with digital markets
TÜNAŞ and KEPCO sign deal to accelerate nuclear development in Türkiye
Türkiye and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore nuclear power plant projects, marking a strategic step in the long-term development of Türkiye's energy infrastructure.
Asian Development Bank opens nuclear energy financing to developing countries
Asian Development Bank has amended its energy policy to enable funding for civil nuclear projects in developing member countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
First Hydrogen launches project on molten-salt fuels for small modular reactors
First Hydrogen begins research with the University of Alberta to identify molten-salt mixtures simulating nuclear fuels for SMR prototypes.
Framatome delivers first nuclear fuel assemblies for Barakah
Framatome has completed the manufacturing of the first nuclear fuel assemblies for the Barakah power plant, marking a key milestone in the supply agreement signed with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company in July.
UK launches radical overhaul of nuclear regulation system
A government-commissioned report proposes 47 measures to simplify nuclear regulation, reduce decommissioning costs and accelerate delivery of civilian and military projects.
Zhangzhou’s second reactor delivers first kilowatt-hours to the grid
The Hualong One reactor at Zhangzhou nuclear power plant has been connected to the grid, marking a major milestone in the expansion of China’s civilian nuclear programme.
Rosatom receives approval to 3D-print SMR components
Russian state nuclear group Rosatom has validated the additive manufacturing of parts for its small modular reactors, marking an industrial first for RITM-200 SMR plant equipment.
Maritime Fusion raises $4.5mn to bring fusion energy to commercial ships
California-based Maritime Fusion, backed by Y Combinator and Trucks VC, is betting on a decentralised approach to fusion to target maritime and off-grid applications.
Bayridge Resources acquires 51% of Baker Lake uranium project in Nunavut
Bayridge Resources secures a majority stake in an advanced uranium project in Canada, strengthening its strategic presence in a geologically promising region.
Over 15,000 tonnes of recycled concrete from Sizewell A reinjected into Sizewell C
A significant volume of concrete from the dismantling of the Sizewell A nuclear power plant is being transferred to support the foundations of the Sizewell C project, under a partnership between UK nuclear sector stakeholders.
KEPCO and ENEC strengthen alliance on nuclear and artificial intelligence
Korean group KEPCO and UAE-based ENEC have signed two memorandums of understanding to expand their cooperation in civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies targeting new international markets.
US Army selects nine bases for future deployment of nuclear microreactors
The Janus programme will deploy micro nuclear power plants across nine military bases to reinforce energy autonomy for critical U.S. Army installations.
Lightbridge launches irradiation testing of its fuel alloy in the United States
The Idaho National Laboratory has started irradiation testing on uranium-zirconium fuel samples from Lightbridge in its experimental reactor, marking a key step toward the industrial validation of advanced nuclear fuel.
NexGen begins final federal hearings for the Rook I nuclear project
NexGen Energy has opened Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearings for the final approval of its Rook I uranium project, following more than six years of regulatory process.
Oklo signs contract with Siemens Energy for Aurora’s power conversion system
Oklo has signed a binding agreement with Siemens Energy to accelerate manufacturing of the energy conversion system for its first advanced nuclear power plant in the United States.
New setback for TEPCO at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 48h before crucial political green light
A security document handling incident at the nuclear power plant renews concerns about TEPCO as a key decision on restarting reactors 6 and 7 approaches in Niigata.
Washington seals civil nuclear deal with Riyadh amid political tensions
An initial civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed between the United States and Saudi Arabia, prompting calls from the US Congress for strict safeguards to prevent a Middle East arms race.
CGN activates Zhaoyuan to bypass US restrictions and secure its Hualong One reactors
The launch of the Zhaoyuan nuclear project anchors the Hualong One model inland, illustrating Beijing’s strategy of regulatory normalisation in response to Western technological restrictions.
TRISO-X begins vertical construction on advanced nuclear fuel facility in Tennessee
TRISO-X has started above-ground works on the first U.S. facility dedicated to manufacturing fuel for small modular reactors, marking a key industrial milestone in the deployment of the Xe-100.
Russia delivers key test rig for ITER project progress
The first Russian test rig for the experimental ITER reactor has been delivered to the site in France, marking a major milestone in the international collaboration on nuclear fusion.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.