Siemens, Rolls-Royce & the Future of British Nuclear Energy

SMRs, a modular and cost-efficient alternative to conventional nuclear plants, are gaining traction as nations look to diversify their clean energy portfolios. 

Siemens Energy and Rolls-Royce SMR have announced a strategic partnership that will see the German energy giant supply critical turbine technology for Rolls-Royce’s Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). 

This collaboration, set to be finalised by the end of 2025, marks a huge step in the development of next-generation nuclear power plants designed to enhance energy security and decarbonisation efforts.

Rolls-Royce SMR’s Generation 3+ design aims to provide up to 470 megawatts of electricity per unit, which is enough to power around 1.1 million homes.

A new chapter in nuclear energy

Since the Labour government was elected in the summer of 2024, the UK has reignited its interest in nuclear energy.

“Build, build, build — that is what Britain’s clean energy mission is all about," explains Ed Miliband, the UK’s Energy Secretary.

“The British people have been left vulnerable to global energy markets for too long — and the only way out is to build our way to a new era of clean electricity.

Policymakers are increasingly turning to SMRs as a means of generating low-carbon electricity with improved safety measures and reduced financial risks compared to traditional nuclear plants.

It’s not just in the UK that nuclear power is experiencing a boost in demand.

“We are currently experiencing a global renaissance of nuclear energy,” says Siemens Energy’s Executive Board Member, Karim Amin. 

“Numerous countries are turning to nuclear technology to produce low-emission electricity, and small modular reactors will play a key role in this.”

Unlike large-scale nuclear power plants, which often take over a decade to build and face cost overruns, SMRs are designed for factory assembly and rapid deployment. 

Rolls-Royce SMR claims that its compact reactors can be operational much faster due to their modular design, significantly reducing construction times and costs.

Proven technology in a new form

While SMRs represent an evolution in nuclear technology, their underlying principles are just the same as conventional reactors. 

These reactors rely on nuclear fission to generate heat, which is then used to produce steam to drive a turbine and generate electricity. 

Siemens Energy, which has decades of experience supplying steam turbines and generators for nuclear plants, is well positioned to contribute to Rolls-Royce SMR’s ambitious plans.

“It is pretty remarkable that a technology that has been around for more than 100 years is both the present and the future of power generation,” says Andy Goggin, SVP of Sales for Gas Services at Siemens Energy.

“Steam turbines continue to be used traditionally, while also playing a big role in the future energy transition.”

SMRs are also more flexible compared to traditional nuclear power stations. 

Their smaller size allows them to be deployed in locations unsuitable for large reactors, making them a potential solution for industrial sites, remote communities and countries with limited grid infrastructure. 

Additionally, their modular nature means capacity can be scaled up incrementally to meet demand.

Challenges and unanswered questions

Despite the promise of SMRs, challenges remain. One of the key concerns is nuclear waste management. 

While SMRs are designed to be more efficient, questions persist about whether they will produce more, less or the same amount of nuclear waste as larger reactors. 

“The question whether SMRs produce less, similar, or more nuclear waste than conventional reactors cannot be fully answered today,” Siemens Energy says in official communications.

“Conclusive results will require the construction and operation of several SMRs.”

Regulatory hurdles also pose a potential roadblock. Nuclear projects require rigorous approval processes, which vary by country and can delay deployment.

Furthermore, while SMRs are promoted as cost-effective, achieving economies of scale will depend on widespread adoption. 

Without a sufficient number of orders, the financial viability of SMRs could be challenged.

A step toward commercial SMR deployment

Rolls-Royce SMR aims to be among the first companies to bring commercial SMRs online, with European deployment expected in the early 2030s. 

This aligns with broader efforts by the European Industrial Alliance for SMRs to accelerate development and demonstration projects across the continent.

“Energy security, decarbonisation and electrification are fundamental to the growth and success of modern economies and the health of the planet, and have led to a significant inevitable growth in the demand for new nuclear power,” says Sir Stephen Lovegrove, Chair of Rolls-Royce SMR.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to Rolls-Royce SMR and the deployment of the UK’s vital and deliverable solution to the global energy security challenge.”

For Siemens Energy, the agreement with Rolls-Royce is equally exciting.

“Siemens Energy brings decades of experience in conventional equipment, while Rolls-Royce has the necessary implementation expertise,” Karim explains.

“This perfect symbiosis enables us to jointly shape the future of energy supply.”

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