UK nuclear ambitions start in Teesside

Centrica and U.S.-based X-energy have signed a joint development agreement to deploy the UK’s first fleet of Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), with the EDF-Centrica Hartlepool site in Teesside identified as the preferred location for the first installation.

The project will use X-energy’s Xe-100 technology and could see up to 12 reactor units constructed at the site, delivering a combined 960 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity. This output would be enough to power 1.5 million homes and generate over £12 billion in lifetime economic value. The project also has the potential to create up to 2,500 skilled jobs and support Teesside’s industrial decarbonisation ambitions by providing high-temperature heat for local manufacturing.

The Hartlepool site, currently home to a nuclear power station due to cease operations in 2028, is already designated for new nuclear development under the UK Government’s National Policy Statement. The new deployment will be located adjacent to the existing station, offering continuity for the local workforce and infrastructure.

Centrica will provide the initial capital for development, with full-scale activity expected to begin in 2026, pending regulatory approval. First electricity generation is targeted for the mid-2030s. Discussions are ongoing with other equity partners, engineering firms, and UK regulators to support delivery.

The move comes as part of a broader UK-US agreement to accelerate nuclear development across both countries. By streamlining licensing procedures, the new framework aims to reduce project timelines and unlock billions in private investment.

Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, described the deal as a “bold step forward” for Britain’s energy future. “The Xe-100 fleet will help build a resilient energy system that supports national security, affordability, and sustainability,” he said.

X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell added: “We believe Hartlepool is the right place to begin this journey, with an established industry and a base of professionals and services who can help drive the next generation of nuclear forward.”

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has identified High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) as the most promising AMR technology. X-energy has previously conducted feasibility studies in the UK, co-funded by the government’s Future Nuclear Enabling Fund. Discussions are now underway to define a regulatory and financial path to market for the technology.

The Hartlepool project is part of a wider government-backed push for a "golden age" of nuclear energy. The sector is central to the UK’s mission to become a clean energy superpower and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Other identified sites for nuclear development include Cottam in Nottinghamshire and London Gateway.

X-energy’s Xe-100 units offer 80 MW of electrical output or 200 MW of thermal energy per reactor, suitable for both electricity generation and industrial applications. Their modular design is intended to reduce construction risks and costs, enabling deployment across multiple sites.

This project adds to a growing portfolio of nuclear developments in the UK, including Sizewell C, and signals increasing momentum behind next-generation nuclear technologies.