The United Kingdom and the United States are set to launch a new era of cooperation in nuclear energy, with a landmark government-to-government agreement clearing the way for faster construction of nuclear power stations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Expected to be signed during this week’s state visit, the pact – dubbed the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy – will accelerate project approvals, cutting the nuclear plant licensing process from up to four years to roughly two.
The breakthrough is designed not only to fuel the clean energy transition but also to unlock major economic benefits, creating thousands of jobs in Britain and the US while reducing reliance on global fossil fuel markets.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the significance of the deal: “This landmark UK-US nuclear partnership is not just about powering our homes, it’s about powering our economy, our communities, and our ambition.
“These major commitments set us well on course to a golden age of nuclear that will drive down household bills in the long run, while delivering thousands of good jobs in the short term.
“Together with the US, we’re building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment.”
Powering growth through innovation
For the UK, the deal comes at a pivotal time. Britain’s nuclear sector has already seen a surge of investment, with over 11,000 new jobs created this year alone, according to the Nuclear Industry Association.
Nuclear power stations are central to the government’s ambition to make the UK a ‘clean energy superpower,’ capable of generating more homegrown electricity and securing long-term energy resilience.
Private sector interest is booming as major transatlantic partnerships take shape. From small modular reactors to advanced fuels and micro nuclear plants, the breadth of investment promises to transform former coal regions, ports, and industrial hubs into the heartlands of next-generation clean power.
Multi-billion nuclear deals across Britain
Several high-profile collaborations are set to be announced this week, showcasing the scale of opportunity:
In Hartlepool, X-Energy and Centrica plan to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors, delivering enough energy to power 1.5 million homes. The project could create 2,500 jobs locally and contribute an estimated £40bn in value nationwide, with a £12bn boost focused on the North East.
In Nottinghamshire, the former Cottam coal-fired power station will be reborn through a partnership between Holtec, EDF and Tritax, who are developing advanced data centres powered by small modular reactors. Valued at around £11bn, the project will generate thousands of construction jobs alongside long-term operational roles.
Meanwhile, Last Energy and DP World will deliver one of the world’s first micro modular nuclear power plants, backed by £80m in private investment. This pioneering project will support the expansion of clean energy at the London Gateway port and business park.
Fuel supply chains are also in focus. Urenco and Radiant have signed a £4m agreement to supply advanced HALEU fuel to the US, supported by a new Advanced Fuels Facility under construction in the UK.
And in a step toward next-generation reactor design, TerraPower and KBR will explore potential sites in Britain for Natrium advanced reactors. Each unit could support 1,600 construction jobs, 250 permanent roles, and deliver reliable nuclear power with integrated large-scale energy storage.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright explained the importance of strengthening US-UK nuclear relations: “The United States is ushering in a true nuclear renaissance – harnessing the power of commercial nuclear to meet rising energy demand and fuel the AI revolution.
“Meeting this demand will require strong partnerships with our allies around the world and robust collaboration with private sector innovators.
“Today’s commercial deals set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the US and UK, enhancing global energy security, strengthening US energy dominance, and securing nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic.”
A golden age of nuclear in the UK
The timing could not be more significant. The UK has already approved Sizewell C, a multi-billion-pound project set to be one of the largest nuclear power stations in Europe.
At the same time, Britain is pressing ahead with one of Europe’s first small modular reactor programmes and investing heavily in fusion research.
Together, these efforts are building what ministers describe as a golden age of nuclear, with the industry now employing a record 98,000 people.
The government argues that this surge in nuclear development is cementing the UK as a world-leading destination for clean energy investment.
Securing energy independence
Beyond economic growth, the transatlantic partnership is also about resilience. The UK and US have pledged to eliminate dependence on Russian nuclear material by the end of 2028, bolstering fuel security and weakening Moscow’s influence over global energy markets.
The deal also extends into fusion research, with joint programmes harnessing artificial intelligence and advanced test facilities to speed progress towards commercial fusion power – a potential game-changer for future clean energy.
For families and businesses, the benefits of this collaboration are clear: a stronger guarantee of reliable, affordable, and homegrown energy.
By accelerating the build-out of nuclear power stations and expanding cutting-edge research, the UK and the US are positioning themselves at the forefront of the global clean energy race.
