Energy security

Rolls-Royce partners with rivals for mini nuclear reactors

The beleaguered engineering giant Rolls-Royce is teaming up with a host of rivals including Amec Foster Wheeler and Arup to develop mini-nuclear reactors.

The FTSE 100 company is also partnering with the nuclear specialist Nuvia to draw up plans to build small modular reactors (SMRs), next generation technology that Rolls believes could support as many as 40,000 jobs if the industry flourishes.

The consortium is entering a £250m competition started last March by the Government, which wants to find the best SMR design for civil use. It is hoped the technology will be more cost-effective than conventional plants. The controversial planned new traditional reactor at Hinkley Point has a cost of £18bn.