Rolls-Royce group wins government backing to build UK’s first small modular nuclear reactor

A consortium led by Rolls-Royce has received UK government backing to develop the country’s first small modular reactors (SMRs), selected as the preferred bidder among four contenders. The government will invest £2.5bn in SMRs during the current spending review, while also announcing £11.5bn for a large-scale power plant, Sizewell C. Although the Rolls-Royce SMR, which has a capacity of 470MW, is expected to be operational by the 2030s, critics remain skeptical about its promised benefits and the feasibility of timely, cost-effective construction.