Mr Samson said: “Getting the first SMR online by 2029 means the Government is committed to developing our technology in the UK now.
“We are ready to sign a contract for the delivery of our first unit and, with an order or mandate from the government, we can immediately begin the construction of factories to produce our units and work with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority or others to accommodate our technology in the UK. existing nuclear estate”. People close to Rolls say backing the UK as an early customer is critical to making the technology a successful export to the UK, as foreign governments have questioned how far along Britain is in approving the first deal. Rolls will now choose between factories in Richmond, Sunderland, Deeside in Wales, Ferrybridge in West Yorkshire, Stallingborough, Lincolnshire and Carlisle. The government is understood to support moving at a pace, but with an eye on safety. Kwasi Kwarteng, the Works Minister, asked the nuclear regulator to start the design approval process in March. Russia’s attack on Ukraine has highlighted the dependence of the UK and other nations on energy imports. Oil and gas prices have soared as countries try to end buying oil and gas from Russia, which is one of the world’s biggest producers of fossil fuels. Speaking in parliament on Monday, Mr Johnson urged the OPEC+ alliance of oil-rich countries – which includes Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq – to increase output and lower prices. He said: “There is no doubt that we will need a lot more OPEC+ oil.” Rolls-Royce is up against other mini-reactor makers, who are also fighting to get the designs approved. While Rolls has opted for an established technology – the pressurized water reactor – a London-based rival created by a nuclear physicist turned medical entrepreneur wants to use a newer process to turn the UK’s 140-tonne plutonium waste dump into energy. creating even smaller reactors that could power ships. Newcleo will likely install its first reactor on British soil because of a precedent for private operators of nuclear plants in the UK, Italian physicist Stefano Buono, chief executive, told the Telegraph last month. The company raised 300 million euros last month to help finance its first reactors, after raising 100 million euros last year from investors including former Goldman Sachs banker Claudio Costamagna and asset manager Azimut last year. A government spokesman said: “While there are no Small Articulated Reactors yet, ministers are determined to speed up progress where possible. “The technology offers exciting opportunities to reduce costs and build faster, and we have already committed £210m to the project. “Rolls-Royce’s reactor design is currently being assessed by safety regulators – a critically important process that should be allowed to run its course.”