Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has awarded a $406 million (£300 million) contract to a joint venture between Amentum and Cavendish Nuclear to act as owner’s engineer for the UK’s small modular reactor (SMR) program.
The long-term agreement, with a maximum duration of 14 years, will support the deployment of Rolls-Royce SMR technology at the Wylfa site in North Wales, marking a key step in the UK’s clean energy strategy and the rollout of its first SMRs.
The Amentum-led joint venture, operating as Litmus Nuclear, will provide independent technical and delivery assurance across the program. This includes oversight in design, safety, engineering, construction, and commissioning, supporting GBE-N in progressing toward a final investment decision for the Wylfa deployment.
“This award recognizes Amentum’s expertise to accelerate the global expansion and revitalization of nuclear energy,” said Loren Jones, senior vice president and head of Amentum’s Energy & Environment-International business. “Amentum will draw upon our expertise in nuclear science and engineering to provide independent technical and delivery assurance, helping GBE-N advance the SMR program and bolster the UK’s energy security and industrial base.”
The joint venture will also support compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring the SMR program is positioned to deliver reliable, low-carbon power over the long term.
In November 2025, the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed Wylfa, located on the island of Anglesey (Ynys Môn), as the site for the country’s first SMR project. The planned reactors, each with a capacity of 470 MWe, are designed to be smaller and faster to deploy than traditional nuclear power stations.
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