UK and US Forge Nuclear Power Alliance Ahead of Trump Visit, Promising a ‘Golden Age’

September 16, 2025

The United Kingdom and the United States have announced a significant nuclear power partnership, set to be formalized during President Donald Trump’s state visit. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development and deployment of new nuclear reactors, including advanced modular reactors (AMRs) and small modular reactors (SMRs), with the goal of bolstering energy security and driving economic growth in both nations. The pact is expected to unlock substantial private investment and streamline regulatory processes.

Key Takeaways

A new nuclear power partnership between the UK and US is set to be signed during President Trump’s visit.
The agreement aims to speed up safety checks and regulatory approval for new nuclear projects, potentially halving the time from four years to two.
Several major commercial deals worth billions of pounds are expected to be announced as part of the initiative.
Projects include building advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool and SMR-powered data centers in Nottinghamshire.
The partnership is anticipated to create thousands of jobs and foster a new era of nuclear energy development.

A New Era of Nuclear Cooperation

The newly announced "Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy" focuses on streamlining the path from design to operation for new nuclear power stations. A key component of this agreement is the mutual recognition of safety checks between the two countries. This means that if a reactor design has already passed rigorous safety assessments in one nation, that work can be leveraged by the other, significantly reducing the time required for regulatory approval.

Major Commercial Deals Unveiled

Several substantial commercial agreements are expected to be signed as part of this initiative, collectively valued at approximately $100 billion (£73.5 billion). These include:

X-Energy and Centrica: A deal to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors (AMRs) in Hartlepool, with the potential to power 1.5 million homes and create 2,500 jobs, contributing an estimated £40 billion to the UK economy.
Holtec International, EDF, and Tritax: An £11 billion project to develop advanced data centers powered by SMRs at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs.
Last Energy and DP World: Plans for a "microreactor" to power the expansion of DP World’s London Gateway port.
Urenco: A £4 million deal for the nuclear fuels firm to supply nuclear fuels to the US market and build a new UK facility.
TerraPower and KBR: Proposals to deploy their 345MW Natrium advanced reactors at various sites across the UK, each potentially creating over 1,600 construction jobs and 250 permanent positions.

Addressing Past Challenges and Future Ambitions

While previous UK governments have expressed ambitions for nuclear power expansion, many projects have faced significant delays and cost overruns, such as Hinkley Point C. However, proponents of the new partnership highlight that projects like Sizewell C are now moving forward with private investment, and Rolls-Royce’s SMR program is progressing, having been selected to build the UK’s first commercial SMR.

Critics, such as Greenpeace, have raised concerns about the potential for rising costs and construction delays associated with new nuclear projects. They also point to the ongoing challenges of nuclear waste disposal and the capacity of the National Grid to connect new power sources.

Despite these concerns, the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, views this partnership as a crucial step towards a "golden age of nuclear energy," aiming to enhance the UK’s energy independence and technological leadership in the sector. The collaboration is also expected to strengthen transatlantic energy supply chains.