British aviation and engineering firm Rolls-Royce is at the forefront of nuclear power innovation in Europe, following its selection as the United Kingdom’s preferred bidder to construct the country’s first small modular reactors (SMRs). This decision, announced in June 2023, is part of a broader strategy to enhance the UK’s energy capabilities and includes significant public investment of nearly $3.3 billion from the government.
The initiative aims to fast-track the development of SMRs, with the first project slated for construction on the Welsh island of Anglesey. The government plans to commence work on this nuclear power station in 2026, anticipating the facility to begin generating power by the mid-2030s. This marks a significant step for the UK, positioning it as the first European country to deploy commercial SMR technology.
Strategic Partnerships and International Collaboration
The Wylfa project will utilize a 470-MW pressurised water reactor design, expected to deliver approximately 1.4 GW of power across the first three units. This site was previously home to the decommissioned Wylfa nuclear plant, which ceased operations in 2015. The approval from the UK government allows Rolls-Royce to intensify its development efforts, which are anticipated to have a major impact across Europe.
Partnerships with international firms are crucial to the success of this initiative. Canada’s BWX Technologies is collaborating with Rolls-Royce on the design of the SMR, providing steam generators and committing to support manufacturing activities in the UK, Czech Republic, and other European locations. This collaboration will ensure a steady supply of essential components, including pumps, valves, and heat exchangers.
In a bid to expand its influence in the European market, Rolls-Royce has also formed strategic alliances with companies like CEZ, the largest public enterprise in Czechia, to develop a substantial 3 GW of SMR power. Additionally, the firm signed an agreement with Hungary to explore enhancing the nation’s nuclear capacity with SMR technology. Hungarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Levente Magyar, remarked on the agreement’s potential to foster vital information exchanges for Hungary’s first SMR.
Challenges and Future Prospects for SMRs
The deployment of SMRs promises to increase Europe’s nuclear power capabilities efficiently. These modular reactors can be manufactured in factories and assembled on-site, allowing for flexible and rapid scaling of energy output as demand grows. However, industry experts, such as Mattia Baldoni, Communications and Project Manager at the European Nuclear Society, have highlighted the need for greater consistency in licensing, component qualification, and long-term fuel cycle strategies to enable widespread SMR implementation.
As Rolls-Royce looks to enhance its workforce to support this accelerated development, its approach contrasts with the decentralized efforts in the United States, where multiple private entities are competing to deploy their own SMR technologies.
Beyond terrestrial nuclear power, Rolls-Royce has ambitious plans for space. The company aims to launch a nuclear micro-reactor to the lunar surface by the early 2030s. Micro-reactors, which are significantly smaller than SMRs, offer a power output of between 1 MW and 10 MW and are easier to transport.
In July 2024, Rolls-Royce received funding from the UK Space Agency through the National Space Innovation Programme to advance its space nuclear power technology, collaborating with academic institutions such as Oxford University and Bangor University. The company is actively seeking partnerships in both the UK and the United States for the eventual deployment of its reactor in space.
As Rolls-Royce positions itself as a key player in Europe’s nuclear landscape, the success of its UK SMR project could pave the way for orders from other regions, solidifying its status as a leader in small modular reactor development on a global scale.
