Rolls-Royce SMR has been named as the selected technology in the Great British Nuclear (GBN) small modular reactor (SMR) competition.

The UK’s next generation of nuclear power stations will be designed and built by the company, creating thousands of jobs, boosting the supply chain and creating growth for the economy.

The news comes at the end of a two-year selection process in which GBN assessed leading technologies from around the world – and comes as the government made major funding announcements for nuclear power, including for the Sizewell C nuclear plant.

Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive, Chris Cholerton, said: “This is a day to celebrate a milestone achievement. This success is testament to our incredible team which has developed a world-leading technology and worked tirelessly over the last two years to ensure we could provide a winning tender to GBN.

“As well as delivering affordable, clean energy to support our nation’s energy independence – deploying three of our units will drive domestic growth by creating thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs and supply chain opportunities.

“We are the only SMR company with multiple commitments to build projects in Europe, testament to our differentiated design and compelling offer”.

Rolls-Royce SMR has already been selected by leading European utility, ČEZ, to deliver up to 3GW of electricity in the Czech Republic. Further success at home will support success in a range of international markets - including potentially in Sweden, where Rolls-Royce SMR is in the final two SMRs in their technology selection process.

Rolls-Royce SMR is progressing through the final stage of the assessment by the UK nuclear industry’s independent regulators – further ahead than any other SMR technology.

The government’s nuclear resurgence will support the UK’s long-term energy security, with small modular reactors expected to power millions of homes with clean energy and help fuel power-hungry industries like AI data centres.   

This follows reforms to planning rules announced by the Prime Minister in February 2025 to make it easier to build nuclear across the country.

The government is also looking to provide a route for private sector-led advanced nuclear projects to be deployed in the UK, alongside investing £300m in developing the world’s first non-Russian supply of the advanced fuels needed to run them.   

Companies will be able to work with the government to continue their development with potential investment from the National Wealth Fund.