The UK’s Nuclear SMR Competition Heats Up
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The UK SMR competition has reached its conclusion: Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as the government’s preferred bidder to deliver the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors, marking the country’s first new reactor programme since Hinkley Point C.
Great British Nuclear (GBN) issued its Invitation to Submit Final Tender (ISFT) to four SMR developers in February 2025, and following the Spending Review, Rolls-Royce SMR emerged as the winning design.
This decision will profoundly impact energy security, regional employment, and the UK’s global nuclear position for decades to come.
What the UK SMR Competition Outcome Means
The UK SMR competition was central to the government’s plan to “put Britain back in the global race for nuclear energy.” Planning rules were relaxed to accelerate new nuclear sites and attract investment, and a £600 million owner’s-engineer framework was launched in April 2025 to secure key support contracts ahead of the final decision.
With Rolls-Royce SMR now confirmed as the preferred technology, the focus shifts to detailed design, site licensing, and delivery.
Key Milestones Following the UK SMR Competition
- 2025: Rolls-Royce SMR confirmed as the UK’s preferred SMR technology following the Spending Review
- 2026–2029: Detailed design, site licensing, and preparatory work
- 2029: Final Investment Decision (FID)
- Early 2030s: First SMRs generate electricity, contributing to the UK’s 24GW nuclear target by 2050
The Winning Technology: Rolls-Royce SMR
The UK-based Rolls-Royce SMR consortium submitted its final tender in April 2025 and has now been confirmed as the preferred bidder. The design is a 470 MWe Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) using factory-built modular components to reduce on-site construction time. Learn more about Rolls-Royce SMR.
The Other UK SMR Competition Contenders
GE Hitachi BWRX-300. GE Hitachi proposed the BWRX-300, a 300 MWe Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) emphasizing simplified systems and modular construction, backed by a construction license at Darlington, Canada. View the BWRX-300 reactor design.
Holtec SMR-300. Holtec Britain submitted its SMR-300 final tender in April 2025. The 300 MWe PWR design used modular factory-built components and offered flexibility, including potential air-cooling capabilities. Visit Holtec Britain.
Westinghouse AP300. Westinghouse initially proposed the AP300, a 300 MWe PWR based on its AP1000 technology, but withdrew from the competition in April 2025 due to commercial disagreements.
Deployment Sites for the UK SMR Competition Winner
GBN evaluated tenders against safety, cost, and deliverability criteria. Deployment sites under consideration include Wylfa in Anglesey and Oldbury in Gloucestershire — see our dedicated coverage of the small modular reactors UK pipeline for more detail on how these sites are progressing.
The owner’s-engineer contract will help de-risk delivery of these complex projects as they move through design and licensing.
Global Export Opportunities From the UK SMR Competition
The outcome of the UK SMR competition offers significant international export potential. A successful UK reference plant demonstrates regulatory approval and a capable supply chain, positioning UK manufacturing and engineering expertise for opportunities well beyond domestic deployment.
How the UK SMR Competition Will Create Jobs
The UK nuclear workforce has grown to a record 98,173 people, according to the Nuclear Industry Association’s 2025 Jobs Map, and SMR deployment following the UK SMR competition is expected to add substantially more. Rolls-Royce SMR itself has said its three-unit programme will support almost 8,000 highly skilled UK jobs per year, including:
- Nuclear Civil Engineering: engineers and construction specialists for nuclear site preparation
- Modular Fabrication: technicians, welders, and manufacturing specialists
- Digital Engineering: software engineers, BIM specialists, and data analysts
- Systems Integration: project managers and engineers integrating complex systems
Astute specialises in placing professionals in these areas. Browse nuclear jobs or contact our nuclear recruitment team.
What’s Next for UK Nuclear After the SMR Competition?
With the UK SMR competition decided, the sector moves into a critical delivery phase. Design, licensing, and supply chain mobilisation over the next few years will determine how quickly Rolls-Royce SMR’s design translates into operational reactors — and how many of the jobs this programme promises actually materialise on the timeline the government has set out.
Planning your workforce for SMR projects? Looking for your next career move? Speak with Astute’s nuclear experts.
Contact Astute People
Contact Astute’s nuclear recruitment specialists today to explore careers or workforce solutions in the UK SMR sector.