Rolls-Royce SMR has solidified key partnerships, including being selected as the preferred bidder for the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and collaborating with international entities, aiming to deliver enough clean energy to power 3 million homes. Each Rolls-Royce SMR unit is designed to generate 470 megawatts (MWe) of low-carbon electricity, capable of powering approximately one million homes for at least 60 years. This initiative represents a significant step towards achieving energy security and net-zero goals in the UK and globally.
The Rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that represent a paradigm shift in nuclear power generation. Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear plants, SMRs are smaller, with a power capacity typically up to 300 MWe per unit, though Rolls-Royce’s design is 470 MWe. Their “modular” nature means that systems and components can be factory-assembled and transported as units to a location for installation, significantly reducing construction time, costs, and risks.
Key Advantages of SMR Technology
SMRs offer several compelling benefits that address many of the challenges associated with conventional nuclear power plants:
- Reduced Footprint and Flexible Siting: Their smaller physical size allows SMRs to be sited in locations unsuitable for larger plants, including potentially co-locating with existing infrastructure or in remote areas.
- Cost and Time Efficiency: Factory-built, prefabricated units lead to more affordable construction, shorter timelines, and reduced delays compared to custom-designed large reactors.
- Enhanced Safety Features: SMR designs often incorporate simpler, passive safety systems that rely on natural phenomena like gravity and convection to shut down and cool the reactor without human intervention or external power, increasing safety.
- Scalability and Versatility: SMRs can be deployed incrementally to match increasing energy demand and can be used for various applications beyond just electricity generation, including process heat for industry, desalination, and the production of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
- Baseload Power and Renewable Energy Integration: SMRs provide a consistent, dispatchable source of energy that can complement intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, forming part of a hybrid energy system.
Rolls-Royce SMR’s Strategic Partnerships and UK Deployment
Rolls-Royce SMR has been at the forefront of SMR development, securing significant partnerships and being selected as the preferred bidder to deliver the UK’s first SMRs.
UK and International Commitments
In July 2025, Rolls-Royce SMR was chosen by Great British Energy – Nuclear to provide the UK’s initial SMR fleet, following a two-year competition. This selection is a pivotal moment for the UK’s energy future, with plans to sign contracts later this year and connect projects to the grid by the mid-2030s. The UK government has allocated over £2.5 billion for the SMR program, which is expected to create up to 3,000 skilled jobs. Rolls-Royce SMR aims to build three SMRs in the UK, generating approximately 1.5 GW of electricity in total, enough to power around 3 million homes.
Beyond the UK, Rolls-Royce SMR has also established international collaborations. In October 2024, the company was selected by CEZ, the Czech utility, to deploy up to 3 GW of electricity in the Czech Republic. Rolls-Royce SMR has further strengthened its ties in the Czech Republic by signing a memorandum of understanding with Škoda JS to explore the production of key components and a contract with ÚJV Řež for analysis and testing of critical SMR components. Additionally, Rolls-Royce SMR has Memorandums of Understanding in place with Estonia and Turkey, and is among the final two SMR technologies in Sweden’s selection process.
Supply Chain and Manufacturing
A crucial aspect of Rolls-Royce SMR’s strategy is its focus on factory-built modules. Approximately 90% of the SMR’s manufacturing and assembly activities will occur in factory conditions, which is expected to maintain high quality and reduce on-site disruption. This approach is designed to revolutionize how nuclear power is delivered by moving away from high-cost, high-risk complex construction programs towards predictable, factory-built commodities.
Rolls-Royce SMR has also secured a multi-million-pound strategic partnership with Curtiss-Wright’s UK-based nuclear business (formerly Ultra Energy) to deliver critical safety systems for its SMR technology. This partnership will support regional economic growth and expand the UK’s nuclear skills and capabilities, with design and implementation carried out at Curtiss-Wright’s facility in Wimborne, Dorset, creating over 200 UK jobs.
Regulatory Progress and Future Outlook
The Rolls-Royce SMR design is currently progressing through the final stage of assessment by UK nuclear regulators. This Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process began in April 2022 and is planned to last four years and nine months, with completion expected by the end of 2026. The company expects its first unit to be completed in the early 2030s, with power on the grid potentially by 2029 for the first SMR.
The development and deployment of Rolls-Royce SMRs are poised to play a significant role in helping countries achieve their net-zero targets and enhance energy independence. With a robust design, strategic partnerships, and a clear manufacturing strategy, Rolls-Royce SMR is positioned to become a world leader in SMR technology.
