UK-US nuclear deal: what does it mean and will it really lead to a golden age'?

"The most eye-catching project involves the US company X-Energy working with Centrica, the owner of British Gas, to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors (AMRs) in Hartlepool. AMRs, part of a group of reactor designs known as Generation IV, use cutting-edge cooling systems and fuel. The government claims the Hartlepool project could power 1.5m homes, create up to 2,500 jobs and deliver a 40bn economic boost, including 12bn for the north-east."

"Alongside Hartlepool, there is an 11bn deal between tech company Holtec (US), energy supplier EDF (France) and the property investor Tritax (UK) for SMRs to power datacentres at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire. This, the government says, will create thousands of high-skilled construction jobs, as well as local long-term roles. Last Energy, from the US, will build a microreactor to power the expansion of Dubai-owned DP World's London Gateway port."

"The nuclear fuels firm Urenco, which is 33% owned by the UK state, has agreed a 4m deal to supply nuclear fuels to the US market and will also build a new UK facility. Finally, the US companies TerraPower and KBR want to deploy their 345MW Natrium advanced reactors at sites around the UK. Each could create 1,600 jobs during construction and 250 permanent positions."

Five new US-UK nuclear deals add to an existing SMR partnership between Rolls-Royce and BWXT, with a combined value of about $100bn (£73.5bn). X-Energy and Centrica plan up to 12 advanced modular reactors (AMRs) at Hartlepool, projected to power 1.5m homes, create up to 2,500 jobs and deliver a £40bn economic boost, including £12bn for the north-east. Holtec, EDF and Tritax will develop SMRs at the former Cottam site to power datacentres and generate thousands of high-skilled construction jobs and local long-term roles. Last Energy will build a microreactor for London Gateway. Urenco agreed a £4m fuels deal and new UK facility. TerraPower and KBR propose 345MW Natrium reactors, each creating about 1,600 construction jobs and 250 permanent roles.

Read at www.theguardian.com