The UK has taken a major step toward deploying small modular reactors, with a public consultation now open on the regulatory justification for the Rolls-Royce SMR design.
The consultation, launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), follows an application submitted by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) in July 2024. This marks the first time a UK reactor design has entered the justification process, a key early stage in assessing whether a new nuclear technology should be permitted to operate.
DEFRA is inviting feedback until 1 December, focusing on whether the proposed reactor fits within a suitable class of practice, and whether the benefits, such as clean, firm power, outweigh any potential risks. A draft decision document will follow, setting out the Secretary of State’s view on whether the SMR should be justified and under what definition.
The NIA has welcomed the consultation, highlighting the reactor’s passive safety features and its potential to deliver reliable low-carbon energy for decades. The Rolls-Royce SMR is a 470 MWe pressurised water reactor, designed for a 60-year lifespan. Around 90% of the build will take place in factory conditions, with modular components assembled on site an approach aimed at reducing risk and accelerating delivery.
In June, the Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as the UK’s preferred technology for its first SMR deployment. Contracts are expected later this year, with a final investment decision due in 2029 and grid connection targeted for the mid-2030s.
This consultation is part of a broader effort to streamline nuclear approvals and support next-generation technologies. The NIA has previously submitted justification applications for other reactor types, including the AP1000, EPR, and ABWR.