en.Wedoany.com Reported - A private consortium has submitted a plan to the UK government to build 14 small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) across three sites, adding 4.2 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity, enough to supply nearly 8 million households.

The proposal, led by European small modular reactor developer SGE, has been submitted under the UK's Advanced Nuclear Framework (ANF). If approved, the project would meet approximately 11% of the UK's electricity demand and achieve an operational lifespan of at least 60 years.

The deployment uses GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 reactor design, with partners including Samsung C&T, Laing O'Rourke, Aecon Group, Google Cloud, Fermi Development, Etara, and an experienced nuclear operator. SGE has established SGE SMR UK Limited to specifically advance the project in the UK.

The consortium plans to adopt a fleet-based strategy rather than building single reactors. The first site will host six BWRX-300 units, followed by two additional multi-unit sites. Developers believe standardized construction can help shorten timelines and reduce costs and construction risks.

The BWRX-300 reactor is already under construction at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Canada and is expected to become the first operational small modular reactor in an OECD country. In the UK, the reactor completed the second phase of the Generic Design Assessment in December 2025, passing another regulatory milestone.

SGE stated that the project will be privately financed and developed under the UK's Contracts for Difference (CfD) framework, with support from the National Wealth Fund. According to the company, consumers will bear no costs before the reactors begin generating electricity.

SGE founder Michał Sołowow said the team is focused on delivering efficient, safe, affordable, and clean nuclear energy at fleet scale. He noted that the UK has one of the world's most experienced nuclear workforces and that the government has provided a clear market pathway through the Advanced Nuclear Framework. He added that the project will heavily rely on the UK supply chain.

SGE CEO Rafał Kasprów stated that this application marks a significant milestone for the company's ambitions in the UK and Europe, emphasizing that standardization, repetition, modularization, and fleet deployment strategies are the most effective ways to successfully deliver new nuclear projects. Jason Cooper, CEO of GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, believes the project reflects growing momentum for new nuclear projects across Europe, with the ongoing construction of the BWRX-300 in Canada serving as evidence of the technology's progress.

The project also aims to strengthen the UK's domestic nuclear supply chain by creating long-term opportunities for manufacturers, engineering firms, and construction companies involved in reactor deployment and supporting infrastructure.

The consortium expects the proposal to enter the UK's Advanced Nuclear Pipeline by November 2026. Site selection and government support negotiations are anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2027, followed by licensing, site preparation, and major investment activities. The partners aim to achieve commercial operation of the first reactor by 2034.