Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes changes to nuclear siting policy

Rolls-Royce SMR has welcomed the launch of the new Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear (EN-7) which outlines the criteria for development of new nuclear sites.

The introduction of EN-7, which provides a pathway for developing nuclear facilities in new locations, will enable the long-term deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and ensure the UK can access reliable, secure, low-carbon energy.

The changes mean that Rolls-Royce SMR’s ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plants can be deployed flexibly in more locations – closer to centres of high energy demand – and will support the UK’s energy intensive industries including datacentres, AI infrastructure and hydrogen production.

Alastair Evans, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Director of Corporate Affairs, said: “This is a clear statement of intent from the Government. Today's announcement, coupled with wider planning reform that is focused on growth, will pave the way for the UK to re-establish itself as a global leader in nuclear. This will align the planning of nuclear projects with all other forms of electricity infrastructure and enable projects to be delivered in the longer term.”

“There are a range of existing nuclear sites, ready for development now, that will be unlocked by a commitment to the SMR programme in the upcoming Spending Review. It is, therefore, vital that winners of the SMR selection process are announced in the Spring, to give certainty to these nuclear communities.”

Progress at pace – including a decision by GBN as early as possible this year – will create thousands of jobs, unlock export potential and have a transformative effect on growth and the wider UK economy.

Rolls-Royce SMR offers a radically different approach to delivering new nuclear power, with each plant providing enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years on a site that is a fraction of the size of a large ‘gigawatt-scale’ nuclear power station.

Dan Gould, Rolls-Royce SMR

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Notes to Editors:

The Rolls-Royce SMR is the UK’s first domestic nuclear technology in more than 20 years - providing a British solution to a global energy dilemma. Each small modular reactor will produce enough stable, affordable, emission-free energy to power a million homes for at least 60 years.

Rolls-Royce SMR has received UK Government funding of £210m as part of Phase 2 of the Low-Cost Nuclear Challenge Project, administered by UKRI, which has been supplemented by £280m of private capital. The aim of this Government support is to accelerate the Rolls-Royce SMR design and pass at least Step 2 of the GDA (Generic Design Assessment) regulatory process carried out by the nuclear industry’s independent regulators (The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales).

Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes comments and questions about the Rolls-Royce SMR design. This feedback will be incorporated into the GDA process and may be published anonymously on the Rolls-Royce SMR GDA website and used during dialogue with our regulators.