Market Intelligence
Civil Nuclear Power United Kingdom

UK Great British Energy Publishes Nuclear Framework

The UK government has launched the Advanced Nuclear Framework and UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline to accelerate deployment of advanced nuclear technologies including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) and Microreactors.

The initiative is overseen by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) and Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N), operating under a formal governance framework aligned with HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money guidance.

The framework establishes a structured pathway for privately led nuclear projects to gain government recognition, improve investor confidence and potentially access future support mechanisms.

Prospective companies seeking entry into the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline must submit a project proposal addressing five core assessment categories:

  1. Technology & Supply Chain
  2. Developer Capability
  3. Financing / Investment
  4. Site Strategy
  5. Operator & End-User Arrangements

DESNZ and GBE-N then conduct:

  • An initial eligibility review and
  • A Project Readiness Assessment (PRA)

Projects are assigned a readiness score based on technical, commercial, financial and operational maturity.

Projects that exceed the required threshold may be admitted into the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline and receive a Statement of Limited In-Principle Endorsement.

While admission does not guarantee funding or deployment approval, market participants expect Pipeline inclusion to become an important indicator of project maturity and potential eligibility for future government support.

This announcement presents significant opportunities for U.S. nuclear technology developers, engineering firms and infrastructure companies seeking to participate in the UK’s expanding advanced nuclear market. 
 

For more information, please contact Commercial Specialist Leah Kollhoff via Leah.Kollhoff@trade.gov at the U.S. Embassy London or view official UK government publications via:

  1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advanced-nuclear-framework
  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advanced-nuclear-pipeline-how-to-apply
  3. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advanced-nuclear-pipeline-how-to-apply/united-kingdom-advanced-nuclear-pipeline-guidance-and-expectations-for-project-proposers-accessible-webpage