Great British Energy – Nuclear have appointed Turner & Townsend, WSP and Nuvia to advise on the set up of the Small Modular Reactor programme
The £2.5bn programme is designed to build a first-of-its-kind small modular reactor (SMR) project by the mid-2030s.
The consortium will give advice on strategic planning, organisational design, governance and assurance, commercial and project controls, and business case development.
The team will also contribute to the establishment of a new development company, support major permitting processes, and provide guidance on the entire lifecycle of delivery, from construction to decommissioning. The appointment is for an initial one-year term, with the option to extend for a further year.
The consortium’s objectives will be centred on putting the processes, systems, and controls in place to help ensure the programme is delivered on time and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Advancing nuclear and low-carbon energy
The programme is a key step in advancing new nuclear technology and supporting the UK’s nuclear ambitions.
The UK government believes that SMRs could play a crucial role alongside large nuclear reactors as a low-carbon energy source to support a secure, affordable, and decarbonised energy system. SMRs are smaller in size and could use modular, off-site manufacturing.
The contracted firms will conduct work, including, as per the details of the tender:
The SMR Programme will include:
- Planning and Scheduling
- Cost Estimating and Cost Management
- Risk Management
- Scope Management
- Change Management
- NEC Contracts
Technical requirements will include:
- Core Design Authority
- Safety Case
- BAT Case
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commissioning
- Control & Instrumentation
- Construction, incl. CDM
- Conventional Waste
- Criticality
- Cyber Security (incl. Security by design)
- Decommissioning
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Protection
- Engineering Management
- Equipment Qualification
- Emergency Planning & Response
- External Hazards
- Fault Studies
- Fuel & Core Design
- Human Factors
- Internal Hazards
- Leadership and Management for Safety, Supply Chain and Quality
- Mechanical Engineering
- Protective Security (incl. Security by design)
- Probabilistic Safety Analysis (PSA)
- Radiological Protection
- Radioactive Waste Management
- Reactor Core Physics
- Requirements Management
- Safeguards (incl. Safeguards by design)
- Safety Case Analysis and Techniques (incl. Safety by design)
- Severe Accident Analysis (SAA)
- Structural Integrity
- System Engineering
- Training
Consortium comments on their appointments
Alan Sinclair, director and head of energy & natural resources at Turner & Townsend UK, said: “The Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Programme represents a transformative moment for the UK’s energy future.
“These projects will not only help generate clean, secure power, but they will also unlock export potential and drive growth across the UK’s nuclear sector, boosting economic resilience, and positioning the country as a global leader in low-carbon innovation.
“Our appointment is a clear reflection of the depth and strength of our nuclear advisory expertise. We’re looking forward to building on our existing relationship with Great British Energy – Nuclear to get the programme set up to deliver the best outcomes for communities and the UK economy.”
Rachel Cook, strategic growth director for nuclear at WSP, said: “We are delighted to have joined forces with Turner & Townsend and Nuvia to provide Advisory Services to the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR Programme.
“Our breadth of reach-back expertise perfectly complements Turner & Townsend’s programme controls and Nuvia’s technical excellence. Together, we will help build truly clean, reliable power and cement Britain’s place at the forefront of next-generation reactor technology.”
Nicola Edson, director of technical services and consulting at NUVIA UK, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the SMR programme. NUVIA, in its various forms, has supported the UK’s flagship nuclear programmes since its advent. It is clear that the UK is now embarking on an exciting new chapter for the sector, and it is truly a privilege for us to be part of that journey.”
Details on the tender can be found on the government’s find a tender service, here.
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