The UK is on the cusp of a landmark decision, its first new-reactor choice since Hinkley Point C.
Great British Nuclear (GBN) issued its “Invitation to Submit Final Tender” (ISFT) to four Small Modular Reactor (SMR) candidates in February 2025, and a winner (or winners) is anticipated to be announced around the conclusion of the Spending Review in June.
This decision, aligned with the Budget timetable that confirms final technology and Sizewell C funding decisions in spring 2025, marks a critical juncture.
The stakes are immense, profoundly impacting the UK’s energy security, its ambitious net-zero goals, and the creation of vital regional employment opportunities.
What the SMR competition means (and why the timing matters)
The SMR competition is a cornerstone of the UK Government’s ambitious plan to “put Britain back in the global race for nuclear energy.”
Recent policy signals underscore this commitment, with planning rules already being relaxed to accelerate the development of new nuclear sites.
This proactive stance aims to streamline processes and attract investment.
Further demonstrating the government’s intent to hit the ground running, a substantial £600 million owner’s-engineer framework was launched in April 2025.
This framework is designed to line up crucial support contracts even before the preferred SMR design (or designs) is officially named, highlighting the urgency and strategic planning behind the SMR programme.
The contract awards for this framework are targeted for March 2026.
SMR competition’s key milestones are approaching
Around June 2025 (conclusion of Spending Review): The preferred SMR technology (or technologies) will be announced.
2026-2029: This period will focus on detailed design development, comprehensive site licensing, with a final investment decision (FID) targeted for 2029.
Early 2030s: The first SMRs are expected to generate electricity, contributing to the UK’s target of 24GW of nuclear capacity by 2050.
The contenders involved in the SMR competition
The competition has seen intense engagement from leading nuclear technology providers.
As of the final tender submissions in April 2025, three contenders remain, following Westinghouse’s withdrawal:
1. Rolls-Royce SMR: This UK-headquartered consortium submitted its final tender on April 11, 2025. Their design is a 470 MWe Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR).
It leverages proven PWR technology and standard nuclear fuel, aiming for around 90% of manufacturing and assembly to occur in factory settings to streamline site construction.
2. GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH): GEH also submitted its final proposal on April 11, 2025, for its BWRX-300, a 300 MWe Boiling Water Reactor (BWR).
This design is based on their licensed ESBWR and emphasises a simplified design with a significant reduction in plant volume compared to traditional reactors, also utilising modular construction techniques. It is notably backed by a construction licence at Darlington in Canada.
3. Holtec Britain: Filing its final tender on April 16, 2025, Holtec proposes the SMR-300, a 300 MWe Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) (Source: https://holtecbritain.com/). This design uses standard PWR fuel and offers flexibility with potential air-cooling capabilities.
Holtec plans for modular construction with factory-built components.
Westinghouse AP300: Proposed a 300 MWe PWR based on its AP1000 technology but withdrew from the contest on April 30, 2025, reportedly due to disagreements over commercial terms.
Each design brings a modular approach, aiming to reduce construction times and costs by manufacturing components in factories for assembly on-site.
The path to power
With final tenders submitted, Great British Nuclear (GBN) will now meticulously evaluate them against stringent safety, deliverability, and cost criteria. This evaluation is crucial to ensure the chosen technology can meet the UK’s needs reliably and affordably.
Following the selection, chosen designs will be matched with potential sites.
GBN has already secured land with nuclear heritage at Wylfa in Anglesey and Oldbury in Gloucestershire, though other sites could also be considered.
The owner’s-engineer contract, expected to be awarded in March 2026, will play a key role in de-risking the delivery of these complex projects.
A critical piece of the puzzle will be the government’s Spending Review, with an announcement on the SMR competition winner(s) expected around its conclusion in June 2025.
This review will set the all-important funding envelope for the first SMR build programme, providing clarity on the financial commitment to this new nuclear era.
Export upsides present global opportunities for UK Plc
The UK’s SMR programme is a launchpad for significant global export opportunities, positioning UK suppliers to tap into a burgeoning international market.
GE Hitachi is already making strides internationally.
Its BWRX-300 holds a construction licence for its first-of-a-kind (FOAK) project in Darlington, Canada, targeting operation by 2029. The company is also actively courting interest and has agreements in Poland and the United States.
Rolls-Royce SMR was chosen by the Czech Republic in 2024 for potential deployment and is actively marketing its technology to Gulf states, other Eastern European nations, and Sweden.
Holtec Britain is leveraging its plan to revive the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, USA, as a demonstration of its SMR-300 capabilities. Crucially, Holtec has signalled that a UK manufacturing hub, potentially in South Yorkshire, could create around 3,000 jobs and serve as an export base.
Establishing a UK reference plant – a successfully operating SMR within the UK – significantly strengthens these export bids.
It provides tangible proof of the technology’s viability, regulatory approval in a stringent environment, and the capability of the UK supply chain.
This, in turn, underpins long-term job security by creating a sustainable pipeline of international orders for UK-based manufacturers and service providers.
How the SMR competition will impact jobs
The SMR programme is poised to be a major engine for job creation across the UK, building on an already growing nuclear workforce.
The UK’s nuclear workforce has already expanded to a record 87,000 (NIA 2024 data), with SMR development flagged as the next significant driver of growth.
Rolls-Royce SMR alone projects the creation of 6,000 regional jobs by 2025, potentially rising to 40,000 across the supply chain once a fleet of their SMRs is built.
Holtec Britain’s plans, including its proposed factory, are projected to create around 16,300 UK jobs.
Government planning reforms are also geared towards facilitating SMR deployment, promising “thousands of new highly skilled jobs” as these projects move forward. These roles will span various specialised fields:
- Nuclear-Licensed Civils: Requiring engineers and construction professionals experienced in meeting the rigorous standards of nuclear site preparation and construction.
- Modular Fabrication: Demanding skilled technicians, welders, and manufacturing specialists for factory-based component production.
- Digital Engineering: Creating opportunities for software engineers, data analysts, and specialists in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twin technologies.
- Systems Integration: Needing engineers and project managers capable of integrating complex mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
Astute specialises in identifying and placing candidates in these critical areas, connecting highly skilled professionals with the transformative opportunities within the SMR sector.
What’s next for UK Nuclear?
The deployment of SMRs promises a new chapter in the UK’s energy story, with far-reaching implications for our economy, environment, and workforce.
As GBN prepares to announce the preferred bidder(s), the conversation is just beginning.
Which SMR design do you believe should win the UK competition, and why?
Are you looking to make a career move in the burgeoning SMR space or need to build your workforce for these exciting projects?
Contact Astute’s dedicated nuclear team today.
