In a move poised to reshape the future of energy on both sides of the Atlantic, the United States and the United Kingdom are set to sign a landmark series of nuclear energy agreements during President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain this week. The deals, which span billions of dollars in value, are being hailed as the dawn of a "golden age of nuclear" by leaders in both countries, promising to accelerate the construction of advanced reactors, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen energy security for decades to come.
The agreements, to be finalized as President Trump meets with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, represent the most ambitious cross-Atlantic nuclear partnership in recent memory. According to Nexstar Media Inc., the new arrangements will "turbocharge" the buildout of nuclear plants, notably by reducing the time required to license new reactors and by facilitating commercial deals between major American and British companies.
At the heart of the partnership are several high-profile projects. U.S.-based X-Energy and British utility Centrica have inked an agreement to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, a port town in northeast England. As reported by The New York Times, this project alone is expected to generate enough power for up to 1.5 million homes and create as many as 2,500 jobs. The companies estimate that the program could deliver at least £40 billion (about $54.25 billion) in economic value, providing a significant boost to the UK’s industrial heartland.
Meanwhile, American firm Holtec is partnering with UK-based EDF and Tritax to develop advanced data centers in Nottinghamshire powered by small modular reactors (SMRs). The project, valued at around £11 billion, is designed to support the burgeoning energy needs of data centers, particularly those powering artificial intelligence applications. As Reuters notes, the data center sector has become one of the fastest-growing energy consumers worldwide, and nuclear power offers a low-carbon, reliable alternative to fossil fuels.
Another noteworthy deal involves Last Energy and DP World, who have agreed to establish what’s being described as the world’s first "micro modular" nuclear power plant. These smaller reactors promise to be quicker and cheaper to build than traditional nuclear stations, with advocates pointing to their potential for rapid deployment and reduced regulatory hurdles.
The agreements are being aided by a new framework between the two governments, expected to be signed during President Trump’s visit. This framework aims to streamline the notoriously slow approval process for nuclear projects by fast-tracking reviews of reactor designs already approved in one jurisdiction. According to The New York Times, this could cut licensing times from as long as four years to just two, potentially saving billions in project costs and accelerating the deployment of new plants.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at a reception for the Civil Nuclear industry at Lancaster House in London, underscored the transformative potential of the partnership. "Together with the US, we are building a golden age of nuclear," Starmer declared. "This landmark UK-US nuclear partnership is not just about powering our homes, it’s about powering our economy, our communities, and our ambition." He added, "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."
For President Trump, the deals represent both an economic and strategic victory. The agreements are designed to reduce the UK’s reliance on Russian nuclear fuel—a lingering vulnerability despite Britain’s ban on Russian natural gas imports. A senior U.S. official told reporters, “This is really focused on cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom, and that includes commitment and determination to achieve full independence from Russian nuclear fuel by 2028.” The official emphasized, “We think that’s critically important, really, the only way forward of getting us out of some of the energy traps that they find themselves in.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright echoed these sentiments, stating, “Today’s commercial deals set up a framework to unleash commercial access in both the US and UK, enhancing global energy security, strengthening US energy dominance, and securing nuclear supply chains across the Atlantic.” Wright also highlighted the role of nuclear power in meeting the surging demand for electricity, particularly as artificial intelligence and data centers drive up consumption.
The significance of the deals extends beyond energy policy. President Trump’s visit marks the first time a foreign leader has been invited for a second state visit by the British monarch, a gesture underscoring the enduring strength of the US-UK relationship. The visit, which includes meetings with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, comes as the US prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence. According to a senior US official, “This historic second state visit is set to highlight and renew the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. At the same time, the visit will recognize and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.”
While the nuclear renaissance is being celebrated by business leaders and policymakers, it is not without its detractors. Environmental groups have voiced concerns about the risks associated with nuclear power—including potential radiation exposure, the disposal of nuclear waste, and the possibility of catastrophic meltdowns. As Nexstar Media Inc. reports, critics argue that nuclear power is an expensive and potentially harmful distraction from cheaper, cleaner renewable energy sources.
Despite these concerns, the nuclear industry remains a major employer, with about 98,000 people working in the sector in Britain alone, according to the Nuclear Industry Association. The new agreements are expected to create thousands more jobs, not only in plant construction and operation but also in ancillary industries and supply chains.
Britain’s existing nuclear plants are gradually reaching the end of their operational lives, with the last station completed, Sizewell B, beginning operation in 1995. The government’s drive to expand nuclear capacity is seen as crucial to securing a stable, low-emission energy future. As Vincent C. Zabielski, a partner at law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in London, put it, “Replacing reliance on imports with domestic carbon-free power will contribute significantly to the U.K.’s energy security.”
For both countries, the new Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy is as much about economic revitalization and technological leadership as it is about energy. By streamlining regulations, unlocking private investment, and fostering innovation, the US and UK are betting big on nuclear power to anchor their energy strategies in the decades ahead.
As the world watches, the coming days in Windsor and London will not only be a spectacle of diplomatic pageantry but also a pivotal moment in the global energy transition—one that could set the stage for a new era of nuclear-powered prosperity and security.