OMNI Features｜U.K. and U.S. Unveil Nuclear Energy Deal Promising Thousands of Jobs

The United Kingdom and the United States are set to sign the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, which is expected to be signed during US President Donald Trump's state visit this week. It is a landmark accord designed to accelerate nuclear development and bolster Britain's energy security. The agreement will streamline licensing processes, and open the door to billions in private investment.

The partnership seeks to halve the regulatory approval process for nuclear projects, cutting the time from 4 years to 2 years. Safety assessments from one country would be recognized by the other, allowing companies to move more quickly on reactor construction.

The U.K.'s nuclear plans already feature small modular reactors (SMRs), with Rolls Royce leading domestic development, while U.S. firm X-Energy and Centrica are preparing to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors (AMRs) in Hartlepool, potentially powering 1.5 million homes and creating 2,500 jobs.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized nuclear's role in providing clean, homegrown energy, while industry leaders see repetition of SMR and AMR construction as a path to reducing costs and delays.

However, critics warn of financial and environmental risks. Greenpeace argues the UK's heavy reliance on nuclear could mean higher bills and greater emissions during inevitable construction delays. The soaring cost of large-scale projects such as Sizewell C, which has nearly doubled to £38bn, underscores the challenges. Despite these concerns, the UK government insists nuclear remains central to its long-term energy strategy, with ambitions to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050.

Reference: BBC