COMMENTARY | SMR STRATEGY
Unlocking strategic momentum on SMRs
SMRs and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) offer the UK a unique opportunity to reassert leadership in nuclear innovation, but to do so requires a steady drumbeat of projects that allows suppliers to plan, invest, and grow with confidence.
By Andrew Bowfield, Senior Business Development Manager, Civil Nuclear, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
THE UK’S RECENT COMMITMENT TO Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – backed by up to £20bn (US$26.5bn) through June’s government spending review – marks a pivotal and highly encouraging shift in national energy and industrial policy. This is more than a funding announcement; it represents
a stage gate, signalling renewed confidence in nuclear as a cornerstone of the UK’s long-term energy future. It also reflects a broader recognition that nuclear power, built in a modular way, can play a critical role in achieving net-zero targets, enhancing energy security, and enhancing industry. As the global energy landscape pivots toward
decarbonisation and resilience, SMRs and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) offer the UK a unique opportunity to reassert leadership in nuclear innovation. These technologies can help re-shore advanced manufacturing capabilities, stimulate regional economic development, and create tens of thousands of high-quality, long-term jobs. In doing so, a revitalised nuclear sector could become the backbone of a new industrial ecosystem – one that is clean, resilient, and globally competitive.
The strategic importance of SMRs SMRs represent a transformative approach to nuclear deployment. By combining modular design principles with flexible manufacturing processes, they enable faster, more scalable, and cost-effective deployment compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plants. The UK is uniquely positioned to become a global
hub for SMR technology, particularly in areas such as modular construction, digital engineering, and advanced manufacturing techniques. While Rolls-Royce remains the
only UK-based SMR developer, the government’s openness to foreign technology vendors – including Holtec, GE-Hitachi and others – signals a broader commitment to fostering a competitive and diverse nuclear ecosystem. This approach not only encourages innovation but
also ensures that the UK is not overly reliant on a single technology platform. Importantly, the flexible manufacturing methodologies being developed are not exclusive to SMRs; they can be adapted across AMRs and potentially even fusion systems, enhancing the UK’s strategic versatility and export potential.
Unlocking economies of scale The UK possesses a foundational nuclear supply chain, but its current scale and capability are insufficient to meet the demands of a high-throughput SMR programme. A consistent, long-term policy framework is essential to incentivise investment and capacity expansion. Without clear visibility into future demand, suppliers are unlikely to commit to the capital-intensive upgrades required to support a new generation of nuclear deployment. For the first time in decades, the UK has multiple active
strands in civil nuclear: Sizewell C has final investment approval, Rolls-Royce’s SMR programme has received an initial commitment for three reactors, and fusion technology is emerging as a serious contender. However, to realise the benefits, SMR orders must scale into the double digits to justify the ramp-up in manufacturing capacity and unlock economies of scale. These projects represent a pipeline of opportunity for a diverse range of companies from within the supply chain,
Above: A well-defined civil nuclear roadmap must include clarity on where Rolls-Royce SMRs will be built 38 | August 2025 |
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