Advanced Nuclear Technologies · first published 7 December 2017
This page sets out the UK government's policy on Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANTs) — a broad family of smaller, modular reactor designs including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), and Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs). It is not a procurement policy note but an active departmental policy hub updated through to September 2026. The government has committed £17 billion to new nuclear, with over £2.5 billion ring-fenced for SMRs via Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), which has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as preferred bidder to build at Wylfa on Anglesey, targeting mid-2030s grid deployment. A new Advanced Nuclear Framework (published February 2026) opens a structured pathway for private-sector nuclear projects, including a Project Readiness Assessment process through which companies can seek early government engagement and potential support. For small businesses, the opportunity lies in the supply chain: off-site modular manufacturing, engineering, construction, and specialist services are all explicitly referenced as areas where skilled jobs will be created across the UK.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
The government's explicit emphasis on off-site factory manufacturing and a UK-wide supply chain is a direct opening for SMEs in precision engineering, construction, logistics, and specialist services — not just nuclear incumbents. The Advanced Nuclear Framework's Project Readiness Assessment process is the clearest near-term entry point: small firms with innovative nuclear-adjacent technology or services can seek early engagement before full procurement processes open. The scale of committed spend (£17bn overall, £2.5bn+ for SMRs alone) means tier-2 and tier-3 supply-chain opportunities will be substantial and geographically spread, particularly in North Wales, Suffolk, Hartlepool, and Nottinghamshire.
1. Register interest in the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline via the Advanced Nuclear Business Engagement Unit (advancednuclear@energysecurity.gov.uk) to be aware of early engagement and Project Readiness Assessment opportunities before formal procurement opens.
SMEs in engineering, manufacturing, construction, or specialist services — The Advanced Nuclear Framework (February 2026) explicitly introduces the Pipeline and Project Readiness Assessment process to 'enable projects with strong plans to access early engagement and potential future support' — getting in early is the documented route to influence and positioning.
2. Actively target tier-1 contractors at Wylfa (Rolls-Royce SMR), Sizewell C, Hartlepool (X-Energy/Centrica), and Cottam (Holtec/EDF/Tritax) as potential tier-2/tier-3 supply-chain partners — and document your off-site fabrication capacity in your capability statements.
SMEs with off-site manufacturing, modular construction, or precision engineering capability — The document explicitly states ANTs 'can be fabricated off site in factories then assembled on site' and that 'skilled jobs to be created across different sectors, through the life cycle of nuclear and around the UK' — off-site manufacturing capability is a stated design feature of the entire programme.
3. Use the Early Regulatory Engagement Process (launched June 2024 by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales) to get early regulatory clarity on your technology — choose from one-day engagement, process/technical engagements, or a preliminary design review.
SMEs developing nuclear technology or reactor-adjacent innovations — The 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' — early engagement reduces regulatory risk and cost before major investment.
4. Position your firm as a delivery partner for the 1,500 apprenticeships at Sizewell C and the 3,000 jobs at Wylfa by contacting the relevant project teams and referencing the government's stated skills and supply-chain enabling conditions in the Advanced Nuclear Framework.
SMEs in training, apprenticeships, or workforce development — The document cites '1,500 apprenticeships at peak construction' at Sizewell C alone, and the Framework explicitly lists 'skills' as one of the UK's enabling conditions that government is committed to supporting for private nuclear projects.
5. Explore whether Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs, up to 30MW(e)) could serve as an on-site power solution for your site or clients — review the Last Energy/DP World London Gateway project as a live commercial model, and contact ANPD@energysecurity.gov.uk for policy guidance.
SMEs in data centres, remote power, or industrial energy-intensive sectors — The document states MMRs have 'potential for specialised niche applications that require smaller amounts of highly reliable energy, such as remote communities and data centres', and the Last Energy/DP World deal (£80m private investment) demonstrates this is an active commercial pathway.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The government has committed £17 billion to a new nuclear programme described as the most ambitious for a generation. (UK government nuclear programme overall)
“committing £17 billion to the most ambitious programme of new plants for a generation”
Over £2.5 billion has been made available for SMRs, with Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear, subject to approvals. (GBE-N SMR programme, Spending Review 2025)
“over £2.5 billion for SMRs with Rolls-Royce SMR selected as preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear, subject to approvals”
Wylfa on Anglesey has been selected as the site for the UK's first SMR, targeting grid deployment in the mid-2030s, delivering up to 1.5GW and supporting up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction. (GBE-N SMR programme, Wylfa site)
“Wylfa on Anglesey selected as the site for the UK's first SMR, marking a major milestone in the government's Clean Energy Superpower plan. 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”
£14.2 billion has been committed for Sizewell C, described as the first state-backed nuclear power station since Sizewell B began construction in 1988. (Sizewell C project, Spending Review 2025)
“£14.2 billion for Sizewell C – the first state-backed nuclear power station since Sizewell B began construction in 1988”
The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF) provides up to £67 million of targeted support for new nuclear development to help industry reduce project risks. (Advanced 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 (published February 2026) introduces a UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline and a Project Readiness Assessment process for early government engagement and potential future support. (Private-sector advanced nuclear projects, from February 2026)
“introduces the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline and the Project Readiness Assessment process, enabling projects with strong plans to access early engagement and potential future support”
ANTs are smaller than gigawatt-scale reactors, can be fabricated off-site in factories and assembled on site, spreading skilled jobs across sectors and locations around the UK. (All ANT projects across the UK)
“ANTs can be fabricated off site in factories then assembled on site potentially making construction quicker and less capital intensive. Offsite manufacturing reduces the local impact of construction and spreads the location of jobs. This allows skilled jobs to be created across different sectors, through the life cycle of nuclear and around the UK.”
SMRs (Generation III) are defined as fission reactors with power output less than approximately 500MWe; MMRs are a subset with output typically no more than 30MW(e). (Classification of ANT types, all projects)
“Generation III water-cooled SMRs are fission reactors with power output less than ~500Mwe... Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs) are a sub-set of both SMRs and AMRs. MMRs are designed with much lower power output than other advanced reactors, typically producing no more than 30MW(e).”
An Early Regulatory Engagement Process, launched June 2024, is available to any party requesting early engagement on a proposed reactor deployment in Great Britain, including technology vendors, developers and aspirant licence/permit holders. (Any party seeking to deploy a reactor in Great Britain, from June 2024)
“In June 2024, the Office for Nuclear Regulation, along with the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales launched guidance on an Early Regulatory Engagement Process for nuclear regulation. 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.”
The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce published its final report in November 2025; the Prime Minister accepted the principle of all recommendations and committed to complete implementation within 2 years, subject to legislative timelines. (UK nuclear regulatory reform, from November 2025)
“Government has committed to complete implementation within 2 years, subject to legislative timelines on elements requiring primary legislation.”
Sizewell C will power the equivalent of 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”
GBE-N and GBE together aim to invest more than £8.3 billion in home-grown clean power. (Great British Energy and GBE-N combined investment, Spending Review 2025)
“Great British Energy and Great British Energy – Nuclear to invest more than £8.3 billion in home-grown clean power”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.