UK, US to Sign Landmark Nuclear Power Pact During Trump Visit

Britain and the United States will sign a deal this week to expand cooperation on nuclear power, the UK government said Monday, ahead of US President Donald Trump’s two-day state visit. The agreement aims to accelerate investment in new plants and strengthen energy security in both countries.

The partnership will underpin Britain’s nuclear expansion drive, which includes a £14 billion ($19 billion) investment in the Sizewell C plant and a push to develop the country’s first small modular reactors (SMRs) through Rolls-Royce.

As part of the collaboration, US nuclear firm X-Energy and Britain’s Centrica are expected to unveil plans to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in northeast England. Meanwhile, Holtec International, France’s EDF and real estate partner Tritax are preparing to announce an £11 billion ($15 billion) project to develop SMR-powered data centres at the former Cottam coal plant in central England.

“These major commitments set us well on course to a golden age of nuclear that will drive down household bills in the long run,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. He and Trump first discussed closer SMR cooperation in July during talks at Trump’s golf resort in Scotland.

The agreement will also streamline nuclear regulation: safety checks approved in one country will be recognized by the other, cutting licensing timelines to around two years.

Industry leaders welcomed the announcements. Centrica CEO Chris O’Shea said the tie-up with X-Energy would help build “a resilient, affordable, low-carbon energy system,” while Holtec’s CEO Kris Singh said the Cottam project would create thousands of jobs. EDF UK chief Simone Rossi added it would bolster energy security.

In parallel, Rolls-Royce confirmed it had entered the US regulatory process for its SMR, opening the door to new jobs and investment, while UK-based Urenco announced plans to supply advanced low-enriched uranium to the US market.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the deals “set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the US and UK.”