Small Modular Reactors: Powering the UK's Clean Energy Revolution

Paul Tremble, Chief Strategy Officer for the UK & ZA | WSP

As the UK navigates its path to a cleaner, greener future, one crucial piece of the puzzle that needs more support and impetus is nuclear energy. While renewables like wind and solar are making great strides, nuclear power remains a cornerstone of the country’s low-carbon energy mix, with the current fleet contributing about 15% of electricity demand and almost half of its low-carbon electricity. But if the UK is to meet its ambitious decarbonisation targets, secure its energy independence, and maintain a reliable, resilient energy supply, there is another innovation that must be delivered effectively, efficiently, and at scale: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

With Great British Nuclear (GBN) now underway on detailed negotiations with the final four shortlisted bidders into the UK’s Small Modular Reactor programme, the place of SMRs as part of the future of the UK’s nuclear energy provision looks promising. These smaller, more nimble reactors, capable of generating up to 500MW, can play a pivotal role in the UK’s energy transition. Their smaller size offers significant advantages, particularly in terms of flexibility, safety, and scalability. Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, which are built on-site at a single location, SMRs can be manufactured off-site and transported and assembled on site, allowing for easier deployment in remote or constrained locations. This could be a game-changer for providing clean power areas of high local demand in the UK, as well as meeting growing energy demands without needing to rely on massive infrastructure projects.

What makes SMRs truly revolutionary, however, is their adaptability. In a grid increasingly powered by intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, SMRs can step in to provide firm, consistent electricity when the sun is not shining, or the wind is not blowing. But their utility does not stop there. SMRs also offer the ability to "load-follow"—adjusting their output depending on demand, making them an ideal part of a low-carbon future. In periods of high renewable generation, when supply outstrips demand, SMRs could be re-purposed to provide the steam and electricity required to produce hydrogen or synthetic fuels, supporting the decarbonisation of challenging sectors such as aviation and shipping.

And let us not forget one of the key reasons nuclear energy remains a key player in the UK’s clean energy mix: it is reliable. During the recent energy crisis, the UK found itself heavily dependent on imported energy, leaving it vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and supply/demand cost pressures—an issue made particularly topical by rising energy costs. A fleet of SMRs could drastically reduce this dependence, providing the UK with secure, domestic sources of clean power.

The safety benefits of SMRs are also worth highlighting. Many designs incorporate passive safety features, such as gravity-driven cooling systems, which require no external power or human intervention in the event of an emergency. These advancements make SMRs one of the safest energy options available today.

When it comes to fuel flexibility, SMRs are leading the way. They can operate on various fuels, including low-enriched uranium, high-enriched uranium, and even recycled plutonium. This versatility makes SMRs particularly appealing for countries with limited access to uranium resources. Additionally, the lower initial costs of SMRs make them a more accessible option for countries aiming to develop their nuclear infrastructure without incurring unaffordable construction costs.

SMRs are no longer just a theoretical solution—they are an emerging reality given the Government's timeline for achieving clean energy in the UK. Their simplicity, scalability, and expected rapid deployment make them highly attractive in a world that demands clean, reliable energy solutions at scale and speed. However, to fully realise their potential, the UK must address bottlenecks in the regulatory and supply chain landscapes. To capitalise on this opportunity, it is vital to increase investor confidence and attract inward investment in SMR development, showcasing the economic growth potential alongside energy security benefits. Continued political will, strong public-private collaboration, and an international regulatory framework that fosters innovation are essential.

By moving swiftly, the UK not only stands to meet its clean energy ambitions but also to lead a new global sector, unlocking significant export opportunities and positioning itself as a 'clean energy superpower' in the next-generation nuclear market.

Beyond supporting the UK’s clean energy challenge, SMRs are also a catalyst for regional regeneration. Their deployment promises to bring transformative benefits to local communities, including the creation of high-quality jobs, investment in skills development and long-term economic growth for regions. By manufacturing components locally, supporting regional supply chains, and training the next generation of nuclear experts, SMRs have the potential to leave a legacy in the areas they serve.

A good case study for SMRs driving inward investment is in Teesside, where the UK’s leading independent SMR deployment company, Community Nuclear Power (CNP), is delivering an ambitious vision. In the UK’s first privately funded SMR fleet, CNP plans to install four Westinghouse AP300s in North Tees, to provide clean, always-on energy for the 500-acre Green Lizard fuels and chemicals hub.

“We are innovating and collaborating with industry partners to kick-start a new chapter for nuclear energy in the UK,” says CNP’s CEO, Paul Foster. “We are demonstrating that SMRs can be a lever for private investment, for economic growth in the regions, and for social value in communities where clean and dependable energy will unlock jobs and prosperity for generations.

Foster adds, “in Teesside, a multi-billion-pound private investment in SMRs will support a power-to-liquids hub, producing green fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), itself crucial to Net Zero targets. What’s more, this helps reindustrialise a region with a strong heritage in chemicals, bringing back high-value jobs and creating wider prosperity for people outside the industry.”

With these kinds of partnerships and a forward-thinking approach, SMRs are well-placed to significantly contribute to the UK's energy needs while driving national economic growth and local development.

If you would like to chat further with us, please contact: publicaffairs-uk@wsp.com

Related

Anas Sarwar: "I'm Not Willing To Wait For Someone Else To Fix Our Problems"

By Sienna Rodgers

13 Jan

PoliticsHome Newsletters

Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.