Poland's SGE has submitted an application to build 14 GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactors across three UK sites, teeing up the largest privately financed SMR fleet plan yet under Britain's Advanced Nuclear Framework.
4.2 GW Of BWRX-300s Across Three UK Sites
The programme, led by SGE and its UK subsidiary SGE SMR UK Ltd, would deliver about 4.2 GW of new nuclear capacity - roughly 11% of current UK electricity demand. Six 300 MW units are proposed at the initial site, with four each at two subsequent locations that will be disclosed after final negotiations. SGE has already spent GBP50 million (USD66 million) preparing an application that ran to more than 1,500 pages.
Who Is In The Delivery Consortium
SGE brought a deep bench to Britain: Samsung C&T and Aecon Group anchor the construction side (Aecon is already delivering the world's first BWRX-300 at Darlington in Canada), Laing O'Rourke provides UK nuclear and modular construction experience, and Google Cloud has joined as an initial technology partner - with SGE hoping to convert Google into an investment partner on associated data centres. GE Vernova and Hitachi remain the reactor OEMs.
Financing Model And Timeline
SGE has proposed a modified Contract for Difference scheme - similar to the one used at Hinkley Point C but restructured to unlock private finance - and is not requesting UK taxpayer money upfront. Owner Michal Solowow has publicly framed the plan as "our risk, if we don't deliver." Once in fleet mode, SGE targets a per-SMR cost of about GBP2.2-2.5 billion, with the first unit in commercial operation by 2034.
How It Fits UK Nuclear Policy
SGE's BWRX-300 fleet would sit alongside the government's own SMR programme, which last year picked Rolls-Royce SMR to build three to eight 470 MW units at Wylfa, and the recently announced GBP1.08 billion GBE-N delivery partner tender. The UK is targeting 24 GW of new nuclear by 2050 to supply about a quarter of electricity.
Reporting based on coverage from World Nuclear News, ANS Nuclear Newswire and New Civil Engineer.