A consortium led by Rolls Royce has announced plans to develop its innovative SMR (small modular reactor) designs on existing licensed nuclear sites, such as those in Cumbria and Wales.

Local MPs have called locations like Sellafield, Moorside and Fellside “common sense locations” for the SMRs, which are designed to be much faster, easier and cheaper to build in bulk than the likes of Hinkley Point C in Somerset due to their modular nature.

Once the designs are finalised it will be a huge boost for the existing nuclear industry operating the legacy plants and facilities on existing licences nuclear sites, and is expected to make the UK a world leader in the emerging technology.

£54m has been invested in SMR development to date by a combination of the government, UK Research and Innovation and members of the consortium.

By the early 2030’s it is hoped that the consortium (which includes Rolls Royce, the National Nuclear Laboratory, Wood, Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, Assystem, BAM Nuttall, The Welding Institute (TWI) and Nuclear AMRC) will have a working model in operation.

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