UK selects Rolls-Royce for its SMR programme as part of its nuclear expansion policy

The UK government announced on Tuesday that Rolls-Royce SMR, a subsidiary of the UK-based global power and propulsion systems group Rolls-Royce, has been selected as the preferred bidder for the country’s small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) programme. The UK SMR programme was being implemented by Great British Energy – Nuclear (previously Great British Nuclear), a State-owned company, and would receive State funding of more than £2.5-billion over the next four years. “Great British Energy – Nuclear has run a rigorous competition and will now work with the preferred bidder Rolls-Royce SMR to build the country’s first-ever [SMRs] – creating thousands of jobs and growing our regional economies while strengthening our energy security,” highlighted UK Energy and Net-Zero Secretary (Cabinet Minister) Ed Miliband.