Holtec and EDF plan UK's first SMR-300 reactors at former coal plant

Holtec International and EDF have submitted a joint proposal to build up to four SMR-300 small modular reactors at the Cottam power plant site in the UK. The project aims to power new data centres and attract foreign investment. It follows Holtec’s existing plans for similar reactors in the US. The Cottam site, a former coal power station, has not generated electricity since 2019. It retains existing grid infrastructure, making it a suitable location for the new development. Holtec and EDF, along with Tritax Management, have signed Heads of Terms to form a joint venture for the project.

Holtec’s SMR-300 design has already passed stage 2 of the UK’s Generic Design Assessment. Regulators found no fundamental safety or environmental protection issues with the technology. The proposed 1 GW data centre could be operational by the end of the decade, with the SMRs becoming active in the 2030s.

Rick Springman, President of Holtec International, announced plans to expand the company’s UK presence. This includes setting up a larger operation centre and possibly building a manufacturing plant for nuclear equipment. Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF UK, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration on SMR development in the country.

The Cottam project would be the second-of-a-kind deployment for Holtec’s SMR-300. The first is planned for the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station site in the US. The UK government is also backing a separate scheme to deploy its first SMRs at Wylfa in North Wales, using Rolls-Royce technology. The proposed reactors at Cottam would support the growth of data centres and strengthen the UK’s energy infrastructure. The project marks a significant step in the country’s adoption of small modular reactor technology. It builds on existing regulatory progress and industry partnerships.