In a landmark move poised to reshape the global energy landscape, the United States and United Kingdom have announced a sweeping series of nuclear energy agreements, marking what leaders on both sides are calling a “golden age of nuclear.” The deals, unveiled on September 14, 2025, are set to be formally signed during President Donald Trump’s state visit to the U.K. this week, with the aim of accelerating nuclear power development, creating thousands of jobs, and fortifying energy security for both nations.
The centerpiece of the initiative is the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, a bilateral framework designed to streamline regulatory approvals for new nuclear projects and foster deeper commercial collaboration. According to the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., the agreements will help fast-track the construction of new nuclear power plants, cutting the average licensing period from as many as four years to just two. This regulatory overhaul is expected to unlock billions in private investment and make it easier for companies to build new plants on both sides of the Atlantic.
“This landmark UK-US nuclear partnership is not just about powering our homes, it’s about powering our economy, our communities, and our ambition,” said U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “These major commitments set us well on course to a golden age of nuclear that will drive down household bills in the long run, while delivering thousands of good jobs in the short term.”
The deals represent a significant step forward in President Trump’s vision to place nuclear energy at the heart of his “energy dominance” agenda. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright hailed the agreements, stating they “set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the U.S. and UK, enhancing global energy security, strengthening U.S. energy dominance, and securing nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic.”
At the heart of the new partnership are several high-profile projects involving leading U.S. and U.K. companies. X-Energy, a U.S. nuclear group, and U.K. energy giant Centrica plan to construct up to 12 advanced modular nuclear reactors in Hartlepool, northeast England. This flagship project could generate enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes and create up to 2,500 jobs, according to company estimates. The broader program, which includes a U.K.-wide rollout targeting 6 gigawatts of nuclear capacity, is valued at £40 billion, with £12 billion focused on the North East.
“Our partnership with X-energy marks a bold step forward in delivering advanced nuclear technology that is not only scalable and secure, but also vital to decarbonising industry and powering homes,” said Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, in comments to the BBC. “This will allow more people to have certainty around their energy costs and allow them to plan better.”
In Nottinghamshire, Holtec, EDF, and Tritax are collaborating to repurpose the former Cottam coal-fired power station into a hub for advanced data centers powered by small modular reactors. The project, estimated at £11 billion, is expected to create thousands of high-skilled construction jobs and long-term operational roles in the local community. Dr. Kris Singh, Chairman & CEO of Holtec International, emphasized, “Together with EDF and Tritax, we will help the UK seize a leadership position in both advanced nuclear deployment and the global AI race.”
Meanwhile, Last Energy and DP World are set to establish one of the world’s first micro modular nuclear power plants at London Gateway port, backed by £80 million in private investment. This innovative facility will supply clean energy for the port’s expansion, reinforcing the U.K. as a destination for advanced nuclear technology.
Beyond new reactors, the agreements also target the nuclear fuel supply chain. Urenco and Radiant have signed a £4 million deal to supply High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) for advanced reactors to the U.S. market. The initiative is part of a broader push to eliminate U.K. and U.S. reliance on Russian nuclear material by the end of 2028, a move designed to bolster energy independence and further isolate Russia from Western energy markets. Boris Schucht, CEO of Urenco Group, remarked, “This deal represents a very positive step for the development of small modular reactors in the industry and additionally will help support around 400 highly skilled jobs at Urenco’s Advanced Fuels Facility in Cheshire, UK.”
Fusion energy research is also a cornerstone of the Atlantic Partnership. The U.S. will host a Global Fusion Energy Policy Summit in 2026, and both countries will coordinate experimental programs, combining expertise and artificial intelligence to develop advanced simulation tools and fast-track progress towards commercial fusion power.
The scale of the nuclear industry’s resurgence is already evident. Figures from the Nuclear Industry Association show that the sector now employs a record 98,000 people in the U.K., a testament to the government’s investment and renewed focus on clean energy. The broader nuclear build-out includes the multi-billion-pound Sizewell C project in Suffolk and the launch of the U.K.’s first small modular reactors by Rolls-Royce, which recently entered the U.S. regulatory process.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband underscored the domestic benefits: “Nuclear will power our homes with clean, homegrown energy and the private sector is building it in Britain, delivering growth and well-paid, skilled jobs for working people.”
In addition to economic growth and job creation, the deals are expected to have a significant impact on energy prices and climate goals. The government has stated that expanding nuclear capacity will cut household energy bills, boost energy security, and help tackle climate change by providing a steady supply of low-carbon electricity. “Nuclear will bring very stable prices to UK consumers in the long term,” said Centrica’s O’Shea. “This will allow more people to have certainty around their energy costs.”
The agreements also mark a departure from decades of stagnation in the U.K. nuclear sector. In the 1990s, nuclear power generated about a quarter of the U.K.’s electricity, but that figure has since dropped to around 15%, with many reactors approaching decommissioning. The new partnership aims to reverse that trend, positioning the U.K. and U.S. as global leaders in advanced nuclear technology and innovation.
Industry leaders and government officials alike have lauded the deals as a pivotal moment. “The UK-US commitment to nuclear energy sends a clear signal—this is a pivotal moment for energy security and clean growth,” said Simon Bowen, Nuclear Chair at Great British Energy. Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, added, “These deals are hugely welcome and build on a summer of record government investment in nuclear which is driving an industrial revival, creating thousands of high-value jobs, and strengthening the UK’s energy security.”
With regulatory barriers falling, new investments pouring in, and a renewed sense of transatlantic cooperation, the U.S. and U.K. are betting big on nuclear energy to deliver cleaner, more secure, and more affordable power for generations to come.