UK-US Agree Landmark Deal to Build 12 Modular Nuclear Reactors, Create 2,500 Jobs

The UK and US have forged a landmark nuclear energy partnership, the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, set to be signed during President Donald Trump's state visit. This agreement will streamline and accelerate nuclear project licensing, cutting approval times from up to four years to about two by mutually recognizing safety checks and reducing regulatory duplication. Significant commercial deals include X-Energy and Centrica's plan to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, expected to power 1.5 million homes and create 2,500 jobs, with a larger programme aiming for 6GW of nuclear capacity across the UK. Additional projects involve Holtec, EDF, and Tritax repurposing the former Cottam coal plant into a nuclear-powered data center hub, and Last Energy and DP World developing a micro modular reactor at London Gateway port backed by private investment. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the partnership as a catalyst for a "golden age of nuclear," emphasizing its potential to lower household energy bills, boost economic growth, and create thousands of jobs while enhancing energy security and combating climate change. The initiative reflects a deepening of UK-US cooperation, with leaders highlighting the enduring alliance and shared commitment to innovation and industrial revitalization.