Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 15, Centrica plc and X-Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC, have entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to deploy X-energy’s Xe-100 Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) in the United Kingdom. The Hartlepool site, owned by EDF and Centrica, has been identified as the preferred location for the first project in a planned fleet with a capacity of up to 6 gigawatts.

The agreement marks the first stage of a trans-Atlantic partnership intended to create significant economic value while supporting clean and affordable energy for homes and industries. A 12-unit Xe-100 project at Hartlepool could deliver up to 960 megawatts of new capacity, enough to power 1.5 million homes, with a projected lifetime economic value of more than $15 billion. The site is currently home to an existing nuclear power station scheduled to cease operations in 2028. Following decommissioning, the new reactors would provide continuity for the skilled workforce and help support Teesside’s industrial energy needs.

Centrica will provide initial development capital, with full-scale activities targeted for 2026, subject to regulatory approval. First power generation is expected in the mid-2030s. The companies are engaging with additional equity partners and engineering firms to establish a UK-based development entity to lead this and future projects.

Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, stated: “Centrica is proud to be at the forefront of Britain’s clean energy transition - investing in infrastructure and jobs that meet today’s energy needs while enabling tomorrow’s ambitions. Our partnership with X-energy marks a bold step forward in delivering advanced nuclear technology that is not only scalable and secure, but also vital to clean industry and powering homes.”

J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, said: “Our partnership with Centrica represents a commitment to bring X-energy's industry-leading advanced nuclear technology to the U.K. at scale. Together, we aim to build a fleet that has the ability to reliably deliver clean power, strengthen energy security, and grow the trans-Atlantic economy for decades to come.”

The U.K.’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has previously identified High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) as a promising advanced technology. X-energy, in collaboration with Cavendish Nuclear, has completed assessments supported by DESNZ to advance Xe-100 deployment. Discussions with the government are ongoing regarding the route to market for privately led projects.

U.K. Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband noted the project’s potential to create up to 2,500 skilled jobs, add £12 billion in economic value, and generate clean energy for 1.5 million homes. EDF’s UK CEO Simone Rossi also welcomed the project, pledging support as development plans move forward.

Each Xe-100 unit produces 80 MW of electricity or 200 MW of thermal energy, with modular configurations ranging from 320 MW to 960 MW. The design emphasizes efficiency, scalability, and reliability for both electricity and industrial applications.