The UK and US are preparing to sign a landmark agreement that will accelerate the development of nuclear power, creating thousands of jobs and enhancing Britain’s long-term energy security. The deal, expected during US President Donald Trump’s state visit this week, is designed to unlock billions in private investment and drive forward what leaders are calling a “golden age of nuclear.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations were “building a golden age of nuclear” that would put them at the “forefront of global innovation.”
Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy
The agreement, known as the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, will streamline regulatory approvals and cut the average licensing period for nuclear projects from four years to just two. It is expected to speed up construction of new nuclear power stations in both the UK and the US while boosting commercial partnerships.
Among the flagship projects is a proposal by US firm X-Energy and UK energy giant Centrica to build up to 12 advanced modular nuclear reactors in Hartlepool. The project could power 1.5 million homes, create 2,500 jobs, and channel £12bn of investment into the north east of England as part of a wider £40bn programme.
Small Modular Reactors to Cut Bills
Small modular reactors (SMRs), the centrepiece of the agreement, are designed to provide reliable and affordable electricity while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Unlike traditional large reactors, SMRs are factory-built and assembled on site, reducing costs and construction delays. Centrica chief executive Chris O’Shea said the expansion of nuclear power would bring “very stable prices” for UK households and improve certainty over long-term energy costs.
Investment and New Projects Across the UK
Other deals under the agreement include plans by Last Energy and DP World to develop a micro modular reactor at the London Gateway port, backed by £80m in private investment. Holtec, EDF and Tritax are also moving forward with a £11bn plan to repurpose the former Cottam coal plant in Nottinghamshire into a nuclear-powered data hub, creating thousands of high-skilled construction and permanent jobs.
The agreement also expands cooperation on fusion energy research and commits both nations to ending reliance on Russian nuclear material by 2028.
A Nuclear Renaissance for Britain
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Nuclear will power our homes with clean, homegrown energy and the private sector is building it in Britain, delivering growth and well-paid, skilled jobs for working people.”
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the agreement as a “nuclear renaissance” that will meet global demand for power, particularly for data centres and AI infrastructure.
Nuclear power once provided a quarter of the UK’s electricity but now contributes only around 15%. With ageing plants set for decommissioning, the UK is working to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. Projects such as Sizewell C in Suffolk and Rolls Royce’s first small modular reactors are already underway.
The UK-US nuclear partnership is seen as a pivotal step toward energy security, climate goals, and restoring Britain’s position as a world leader in nuclear power.
