In a landmark energy deal, the UK and US are set to sign an agreement aimed at accelerating the development of nuclear power, creating thousands of jobs and strengthening Britain’s energy security.
The pact, expected to be finalised during U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit this week, is designed to unlock billions in private investment and speed up the rollout of next-generation nuclear technology.
At the heart of the so-called “Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy”, is a commitment to halve regulatory approval times, from up to four years to two. In practice, this means safety checks carried out in one country could be recognised by the other, making it easier and faster for companies to build new reactors.
The UK’s nuclear programme already includes small modular reactors (SMRs), with engineering firm Rolls Royce leading the first domestic design. Alongside this, a major commercial deal will be signed with US-based X-Energy and the UK’s Centrica, which owns British Gas, to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors (AMRs) in Hartlepool. Unlike water-cooled SMRs, AMRs use gases such as helium as a coolant.
While AMRs remain largely experimental. China is one of the few countries with a commercial model in operation. X-Energy believes its partnership with Dow in Texas could serve as a blueprint for global expansion.
If approved, the Hartlepool project could power 1.5 million homes and create as many as 2,500 jobs, according to the UK government.
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, welcomed the deal, saying: “Nuclear will power our homes with clean, homegrown energy and the private sector is building it in Britain, delivering growth and well-paid, skilled jobs for working people”.
However, environmental groups remain sceptical. Greenpeace UK warned that new nuclear projects often face spiralling costs and delays, arguing that the push could leave households with higher bills while slowing progress on renewables.
The debate comes amid rising costs for large-scale nuclear in Britain. Sizewell C in Suffolk, one of the UK’s flagship projects backed by Centrica, has seen its estimated price tag soar from £20bn to £38bn.
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