en.Wedoany.com Reported - Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has initiated a procurement process to find a delivery partner for its Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program, with a contract valued at £1.08 billion and a duration extending until 2046.

GBE-N is an executive non-departmental public body funded by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), responsible for delivering new nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors, advanced modular reactors (AMRs), and gigawatt-scale plants.

In a statement released on July 7, GBE-N said the delivery partner will "provide technical, commercial, and project management expertise to support project planning, risk management, and the delivery of key outcomes across the program." The body added that the contract "may extend until 2046," reflecting "the UK's long-term ambition to deploy SMR technology."

The company appointed as the SMR delivery partner will become a key part of the integrated team supporting the program, providing expertise in project management, infrastructure delivery, commercial management, engineering support, and risk management. The company will also need to facilitate collaboration among suppliers, support program delivery, and ensure value for money from the SMR program.

The procurement process will include an initial screening phase, bid evaluation, dialogue, due diligence, and a final screening phase, followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder. Potential bidders must submit their proposals by August 6, 2026.

Beverley Grey, Interim Chief Commercial Officer of GBE-N, said: "Appointing a delivery partner will help ensure we have the capabilities, expertise, and resources needed to successfully develop and deliver the SMR program. This is a significant long-term procurement that will bring together technical, commercial, and project delivery expertise to help us achieve our goals and support the delivery of new nuclear capacity in the UK."