Committee publication · Correspondence · 22 April 2026
Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the progress of the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) programme, dated 13 April 2026
Summary
Ed Miliband confirms that Great British Energy – Nuclear has signed a Technology Partner contract with Rolls-Royce SMR for the UK's first three small modular reactors at Wylfa, Anglesey. The £2.6 billion programme is expected to generate 1.4GW of low-carbon electricity from the mid-2030s, create around 3,000 peak construction jobs, and establish a long-term industrial partnership with 70% British-built supply chain ambitions.
Key findings
- GBE-N has entered into Technology Partner contract with Rolls-Royce SMR following the November 2025 announcement that Wylfa, Anglesey will host the first three SMR units
- Contract comprises two stages: design development and equipment supply/construction (subject to future Final Investment Decision)
- Programme allocated £2.6 billion across the Spending Review period; National Wealth Fund providing up to £599 million repayable financing to RR SMR for up to 50% of Generic Design activities
- Project expected to generate at least 1.4GW low-carbon electricity from mid-2030s (powering ~3 million homes), with 3,000 jobs at peak construction
- GBE-N targets 70% British-built supply chain products across the SMR fleet, both onsite and offsite
Tone
SupportiveTopics
nuclear-energysmall-modular-reactorsindustrial-policynet-zeroinfrastructure-investment
Key actors
Ed Miliband, Bill Esterson, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), Rolls-Royce SMR, National Wealth Fund, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Notable line
“GBE- N has now entered into the Technology Partner contract with Rolls-Royce (RR) SMR, which had previously been its preferred bidder.”
Key Quotes
“This critical milestone formally concludes the robust SMR Technology Selection Process launched by GBE-N in 2023, and marks the start of an important long-term partnership between GBE-N and RR SMR.”
“The SMR project is expected to unlock significant benefits for both Wales and the wider UK. In addition to generating at least 1.4GW of low carbon electricity from the mid-2030s, enough to power the equivalent of around three million of today's homes …”
“GBE- N's ambition is that 70% of supply chain products are British built across the SMR fleet, including both onsite and offsite activity.”
“I am extremely proud to see another critical milestone achieved as we drive forward the UK's golden age of nuclear and enable delivery of the low carbon power required to achieve net zero.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗