Advanced Nuclear Technologies · first published 7 December 2017
This document is the UK government's central information page on Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANTs) — a broad term covering Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), and Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs). The government has committed £17 billion to new nuclear, including over £2.5 billion specifically for SMRs through Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), which has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as preferred bidder and Wylfa in Anglesey as the first site. A new Advanced Nuclear Framework (published February 2026) creates a policy environment for privately led advanced nuclear projects, including a Pipeline and Project Readiness Assessment process for companies seeking early engagement and potential future government support. For small businesses, the significance lies in the supply chain and jobs opportunity: projects like Sizewell C are projected to create 10,000 jobs and 1,500 apprenticeships, and the SMR programme could support up to 3,000 skilled jobs per project. The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF) — worth up to £67 million — has already backed three reactor developers, signalling that support for the wider supply chain is a policy priority.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
The scale of committed public investment (£17 billion) and the parallel Advanced Nuclear Framework for private projects represent a multi-decade pipeline of construction, manufacturing, and professional services contracts — many of which will be delivered through supply chains where SMEs are natural participants. The modular, factory-built nature of ANTs is explicitly designed to spread jobs across the UK rather than concentrate them on a single large site, which means regional SMEs in engineering, manufacturing, and specialist services have a realistic route in. SMEs should act now to get visible in the sector: the Advanced Nuclear Business Engagement Unit and the new Pipeline/Project Readiness Assessment process are live entry points that do not require a company to be a reactor developer.
1. Register your interest and engage with the Advanced Nuclear Business Engagement Unit by emailing advancednuclear@energysecurity.gov.uk — this is the live government contact point for supply chain firms wanting to be visible to project developers entering the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline.
SMEs in engineering, manufacturing, construction, or professional services with any nuclear or energy sector experience — The Advanced Nuclear Framework (February 2026) explicitly introduces a Pipeline and Project Readiness Assessment process to connect projects with supply chain and support — early visibility matters before procurement stages begin.
2. Follow the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline and watch for Project Readiness Assessment announcements — these are the gateways through which private advanced nuclear projects access government support and early engagement, creating downstream supply-chain opportunities.
SMEs supplying nuclear or energy-sector clients, or those considering entering the sector — The Framework states that projects with strong plans can 'access early engagement and potential future support,' meaning suppliers who are already engaged with pipeline projects will be better placed when contracts are let.
3. Position your business explicitly around modular, off-site fabrication capabilities — the government's own policy states that factory-built ANTs are designed to 'spread the location of jobs' across the UK, meaning regional manufacturers are a stated policy priority for this supply chain.
SMEs with manufacturing or precision engineering capabilities, especially outside London and the South East — The document states offsite manufacturing 'spreads the location of jobs' and 'allows skilled jobs to be created across different sectors, through the life cycle of nuclear and around the UK.'
4. Prioritise engagement with the specific projects announced in your region (e.g. X-Energy/Centrica in Hartlepool, Wylfa SMR in Anglesey, Sizewell C in Suffolk, Holtec/EDF in Nottinghamshire) — these projects have named significant local economic investment and job creation targets.
SMEs in the Northeast of England, North Wales, Suffolk, or Nottinghamshire — Multiple projects cite explicit regional job and investment figures: e.g. '£12 billion focussed in the Northeast of England' and '10,000 jobs and 1,500 apprenticeships' at Sizewell C — local SMEs are natural supply-chain candidates.
5. Consider applying to the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) Entry process via the Office for Nuclear Regulation — the process is described as open and ongoing, with a 'standing invitation for advanced nuclear companies to apply when they believe they are ready.'
SMEs or technology developers with a novel nuclear-related product or design — The document states 'The GDA Entry process is an open and ongoing process, with a standing invitation for advanced nuclear companies to apply when they believe they are ready to do so' — this is a formally available route for innovative SMEs.
6. Engage with the Early Regulatory Engagement Process — offered as one-day engagements, process and technical engagements, or preliminary design reviews — to understand regulatory requirements before committing significant capital.
SMEs considering nuclear sector entry or expansion — The Office for Nuclear Regulation, Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales launched this process in June 2024 specifically to help applicants 'develop their understanding of regulatory processes and expectations early on in their projects.'
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The government has committed £17 billion to new nuclear, described as 'the most ambitious programme of new plants for a generation.' (UK government nuclear programme, all new nuclear projects)
“committing £17 billion to the most ambitious programme of new plants for a generation”
Sizewell C is projected to power 6 million homes and provide 10,000 jobs and 1,500 apprenticeships at peak construction. (Sizewell C project, Suffolk)
“Sizewell C in Suffolk, which will power the equivalent of 6 million homes and provide 10,000 jobs and 1,500 apprenticeships at peak construction”
Over £2.5 billion has been made available for SMRs through the Spending Review, with Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder for GBE-N's programme. (Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR programme)
“over £2.5 billion for SMRs with Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear, subject to approvals”
An SMR project at Wylfa is targeted to deploy to the grid in the mid-2030s, providing up to 1.5GW of electricity and supporting up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction. (Wylfa SMR project, Anglesey)
“With the aim of deploying to the grid in the mid-2030s, an SMR project delivered within the scope of the contract could provide up to 1.5GW of low carbon electricity… while also supporting up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction”
The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF) provides up to £67 million of targeted support for new nuclear development, aimed at reducing project risks for industry. (Nuclear technology developers seeking UK deployment)
“The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF) provides up to £67 million of targeted support for new nuclear development. It aims to help industry reduce project risks, so they are better positioned for future investment decisions.”
Three FNEF grant recipients were identified: GE-Hitachi (up to £33.6m), Holtec Britain (up to £30.05m), and Cavendish Nuclear (up to £3.34m). (FNEF grant recipients)
“up to £33.6 million awarded to GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy… up to £30.05 million awarded to Holtec Britain Limited… up to £3.34 million awarded to Cavendish Nuclear”
The Advanced Nuclear Framework for privately led projects was published in February 2026 and introduces the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline and a Project Readiness Assessment process. (Private-sector advanced nuclear project developers, UK-wide, from February 2026)
“The Advanced Nuclear Framework for Privately Led Projects sets out how we will create the right policy environment for private sector investment in advanced civil nuclear projects.”
The Framework states that Great British Energy – Nuclear will assess proposals, the National Wealth Fund will explore investment opportunities, and DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) will explore revenue support for viable projects. (Privately led advanced nuclear projects entering the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline)
“Great British Energy Nuclear will have a role in assessing proposals… the National Wealth Fund will explore potential investment opportunities… DESNZ will explore revenue support for viable projects”
The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce published its final report in November 2025; the Prime Minister accepted the principle of all recommendations, with government committing to complete implementation within 2 years. (All civil and defence nuclear regulatory processes, UK-wide)
“Government has committed to complete implementation within 2 years, subject to legislative timelines on elements requiring primary legislation.”
An Early Regulatory Engagement Process for nuclear regulation is available to any party requesting early engagement on a proposed reactor deployment in Great Britain, including vendors, developers, and aspirant licence/permit holders. (Any organisation considering reactor deployment in Great Britain)
“This process is available to any party requesting early engagement on a proposed reactor deployment in Great Britain, including reactor technology vendors, developers and aspirant licence / permit holders.”
ANTs are smaller than gigawatt-scale reactors and can be fabricated off-site in factories, potentially spreading skilled jobs across different sectors and regions of the UK. (Advanced Nuclear Technology supply chain, UK-wide)
“Due to their smaller size and modularity, ANTs can be fabricated off site in factories then assembled on site… Offsite manufacturing reduces the local impact of construction and spreads the location of jobs.”
Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs) are defined as producing no more than 30MW(e), designed for specialised niche applications such as remote communities and data centres. (MMR classification, nuclear sector)
“MMRs are designed with much lower power output than other advanced reactors, typically producing no more than 30MW(e).”
The X-Energy and Centrica deal targets up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, followed by a UK-wide programme targeting a 6GW fleet, with an estimated £40 billion in economic value and £12 billion focused in the Northeast of England. (X-Energy/Centrica project, Hartlepool and UK-wide)
“intention to develop up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, followed by a UK-wide programme targeting a 6GW fleet… they estimate the overall programme could deliver at least £40 billion in economic value, with £12 billion focussed in the Northeast of England”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
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