Britain courts private cash to fund 'golden age' of nuclear-powered AI
(2026/02/05)
- Reference: 1770283809
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2026/02/05/uk_private_finance_smr/
- Source link:
The British government today launched the Advanced Nuclear Framework to attract private investment in next-generation nuclear technology for factories and datacenters.
The [1]framework aims to accelerate development of advanced modular reactors to power the AI infrastructure boom and provide clean energy for economic growth.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will create a "pipeline" of projects meeting readiness criteria, offering a "concierge-style" service to help the developers navigate UK planning, regulations, and secure private investment.
[2]
DESNZ says emerging nuclear technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) can be prefabricated in factories, enabling faster, cheaper assembly using skilled jobs across multiple regions. These reactors can provide clean energy to the grid or directly to industrial users, it claims.
[3]
[4]
SMRs, as Reg readers likely know, are newfangled designs with a [5]power capacity of up to about 300 MW per unit , about a third of the generating capacity of traditional atomic reactors.
However, the novelty of these designs means they probably won't be pumping out the megawatts any time soon. As Omdia principal analyst Alan Howard [6]told us last year , SMR trials are on the horizon, but commercial viability is not expected until the 2030s.
[7]
Howard was commenting on the announcement of the [8]UK's first SMR plant last November, which being built at Wylfa on Anglesey, an island off the coast of Wales.
DESNZ also points to plans for X-Energy and Centrica to build 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, while Holtec, EDF, and Tritax aim to build SMRs at a former coal-fired power station site at Cottam in Nottinghamshire.
Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, claimed advanced nuclear technology could revolutionize the power and AI datacenter industries, delivering clean energy and more jobs.
[9]
"We are seizing the opportunity to become a frontrunner in this space as part of our golden age of nuclear, creating the conditions for the industry to flourish," he said.
[10]Next-gen nuclear reactors safe enough to skip full environmental reviews, says Trump admin
[11]Britain's first small modular reactors to be built in Wales
[12]Renewables blow past nuclear when it comes to cheap datacenter juice
[13]AWS says Britain needs more nuclear power to feed AI datacenter surge
The AI datacenter focus reflects the government's [14]ambitions for UK AI leadership . It is encouraging a rash of datacenter projects to house AI infrastructure, which is notoriously hot and hungry. One of many reports published last year estimated that global datacenter electricity use is [15]set to more than double by 2030 thanks to AI.
Interested parties will be able to use the Advanced Nuclear Framework to submit proposals to join the pipeline from March. These will then be assessed by Great British Energy-Nuclear, the government-owned atomic energy company.
Things get a little hazy over the question of any financial support. Successful applicants get government endorsement "in principle," and while they will be expected to secure private finance, the government says it is open to discussions on what may be needed to help get projects off the ground.
Developers will also be able to approach the National Wealth Fund, which can act as a "catalytic investor" for projects that meet their criteria.
The UK isn't alone in looking to revitalize nuclear power. The US is also encouraging new builds and the development of advanced technologies, and it appears the Trump administration is prepared to [16]overlook safety precautions to speed things along. ®
Get our [17]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advanced-nuclear-framework
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-are-small-modular-reactors-smrs
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/13/anglesey_smr/
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/13/anglesey_smr/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/03/nextgen_nuclear_reactors_skip_nepa_reviews/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/13/anglesey_smr/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/26/renewables_vs_smr_datacenter/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/16/amazon_nuclear_power_britain/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/13/uk_government_ai_plans/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/12/ai_double_datacenter_energy/
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/03/nextgen_nuclear_reactors_skip_nepa_reviews/
[17] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The [1]framework aims to accelerate development of advanced modular reactors to power the AI infrastructure boom and provide clean energy for economic growth.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will create a "pipeline" of projects meeting readiness criteria, offering a "concierge-style" service to help the developers navigate UK planning, regulations, and secure private investment.
[2]
DESNZ says emerging nuclear technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) can be prefabricated in factories, enabling faster, cheaper assembly using skilled jobs across multiple regions. These reactors can provide clean energy to the grid or directly to industrial users, it claims.
[3]
[4]
SMRs, as Reg readers likely know, are newfangled designs with a [5]power capacity of up to about 300 MW per unit , about a third of the generating capacity of traditional atomic reactors.
However, the novelty of these designs means they probably won't be pumping out the megawatts any time soon. As Omdia principal analyst Alan Howard [6]told us last year , SMR trials are on the horizon, but commercial viability is not expected until the 2030s.
[7]
Howard was commenting on the announcement of the [8]UK's first SMR plant last November, which being built at Wylfa on Anglesey, an island off the coast of Wales.
DESNZ also points to plans for X-Energy and Centrica to build 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, while Holtec, EDF, and Tritax aim to build SMRs at a former coal-fired power station site at Cottam in Nottinghamshire.
Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, claimed advanced nuclear technology could revolutionize the power and AI datacenter industries, delivering clean energy and more jobs.
[9]
"We are seizing the opportunity to become a frontrunner in this space as part of our golden age of nuclear, creating the conditions for the industry to flourish," he said.
[10]Next-gen nuclear reactors safe enough to skip full environmental reviews, says Trump admin
[11]Britain's first small modular reactors to be built in Wales
[12]Renewables blow past nuclear when it comes to cheap datacenter juice
[13]AWS says Britain needs more nuclear power to feed AI datacenter surge
The AI datacenter focus reflects the government's [14]ambitions for UK AI leadership . It is encouraging a rash of datacenter projects to house AI infrastructure, which is notoriously hot and hungry. One of many reports published last year estimated that global datacenter electricity use is [15]set to more than double by 2030 thanks to AI.
Interested parties will be able to use the Advanced Nuclear Framework to submit proposals to join the pipeline from March. These will then be assessed by Great British Energy-Nuclear, the government-owned atomic energy company.
Things get a little hazy over the question of any financial support. Successful applicants get government endorsement "in principle," and while they will be expected to secure private finance, the government says it is open to discussions on what may be needed to help get projects off the ground.
Developers will also be able to approach the National Wealth Fund, which can act as a "catalytic investor" for projects that meet their criteria.
The UK isn't alone in looking to revitalize nuclear power. The US is also encouraging new builds and the development of advanced technologies, and it appears the Trump administration is prepared to [16]overlook safety precautions to speed things along. ®
Get our [17]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advanced-nuclear-framework
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-are-small-modular-reactors-smrs
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/13/anglesey_smr/
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/13/anglesey_smr/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aYR4UgwdZtmUakr258damQAAAEE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/03/nextgen_nuclear_reactors_skip_nepa_reviews/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/13/anglesey_smr/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/26/renewables_vs_smr_datacenter/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/16/amazon_nuclear_power_britain/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/13/uk_government_ai_plans/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/12/ai_double_datacenter_energy/
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/03/nextgen_nuclear_reactors_skip_nepa_reviews/
[17] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
"The US is also encouraging new builds and the development of advanced technologies, and it appears the Trump administration is prepared to overlook safety precautions to speed things along."
That would be after the big donation received from fellow billionaire Montgomery Burns. To his credit, the only person ever to have made a profitable business from nuclear power. No doubt due to the calibre of the employees he hires. I predict a similar glowing future for Britain and a three eyed fish with every poke of chips.