The United States and United Kingdom are preparing to sign a series of landmark agreements during President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain this week, with both governments framing the deals as the start of a “golden age” of nuclear power.
At the heart of the multi-billion-pound partnership are plans to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, a port town in northeast England, alongside a push to develop data centers powered by small modular reactors (SMRs) in Nottinghamshire.
Officials on both sides say the transatlantic initiative will generate thousands of jobs, accelerate the construction of new nuclear facilities, and unlock billions in private sector investment.
On Monday, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the two countries were “building a golden age of nuclear” that would put them “at the forefront of global innovation and investment.”
Powering Homes and AI Data Centers
The deal reflects a joint embrace of nuclear energy not only for electricity generation but also to power the energy-hungry data centers needed to run artificial intelligence systems.
X-Energy, a U.S.-based developer of advanced nuclear plants, and British Gas owner Centrica announced that the Hartlepool project would be capable of supplying power to 1.5 million homes and creating up to 2,500 jobs. The companies estimate the broader program could deliver at least $54.25 billion in economic value.
In Nottinghamshire, U.S.-based Holtec confirmed plans for advanced data centers powered by SMRs in a project valued at around £11 billion. The venture will be jointly developed with EDF and Tritax.
SMRs, designed to be smaller and quicker to deploy than traditional nuclear stations, are seen by advocates as a scalable solution to meet rising demand. Tech companies have already taken interest: Amazon and Google signed SMR development deals in the U.S. last year to secure future energy supplies for their expanding data operations.
Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy
The agreements form part of the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, an initiative expected to include additional projects such as the creation of the world’s first micro modular nuclear power plant.
“With President Trump’s leadership, the United States is ushering in a true nuclear renaissance – harnessing the power of commercial nuclear to meet rising energy demand and fuel the AI revolution,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on Monday.
Nuclear’s Promise and Pushback
Proponents argue that nuclear power’s low-carbon credentials make it a key tool for meeting climate goals, providing reliable electricity while cutting reliance on fossil fuels.
But environmental groups caution that the industry remains costly and risky, calling nuclear development an expensive diversion from cheaper renewable alternatives.
