Holtec International, EDF UK and Tritax Management have announced their intent to work together to develop Holtec’s SMR-300 small modular reactors at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire.
The power station is intended to provide clean, secure power to new data centres on the site, with the partnerships’ intent formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The 900-acre Cottam site offers grid connections and critical infrastructure that aim to significantly reduce development costs and timelines.
This project could create thousands of high-skilled manufacturing and construction jobs, as well as long-term roles in operations to the benefit of the local community.
As part of this collaboration, Holtec International will provide the SMR-300 technology and lead early development activities.
Feasibility studies and early-stage investment discussions are now underway, with Holtec International and EDF UK engaged with relevant parties within UK and US governments, including Great British Energy – Nuclear and The National Wealth Fund.
The 1GW data centre project for Cottam is targeted to come online by the end of the decade and forms part of the Trent Valley Supercluster, submitted as an AI Growth Zone to the UK government.
The data centre project will initially have a significant contribution from renewable generation, with the SMR element becoming operational in the 2030s.
The UK’s energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said: “Small modular reactors will play a key role in our future clean energy mix, with Holtec and EDF’s proposed development at the old coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire
demonstrating the transition to clean power in action, and how this can power industries of the
future.
“By working with the US, we will reap the benefits of this golden age of nuclear, powering British homes with clean, homegrown energy, delivering well-paid skilled jobs and getting energy bills down for good.”
