Holtec International, EDF UK and Tritax Management today announced their intent to work together to develop Holtec’s SMR-300 small modular reactors at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire, to provide clean, secure power to new, advanced data centres on the site. This intent is formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Holtec, EDF UK and their real estate partner Tritax Management.
The announcement, made ahead of the State Visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the UK, signals a landmark transatlantic cooperation in delivering clean energy and digital innovation. The project could transform one of the UK’s historic “Megawatt Valley” sites into a hub for clean energy and new investment opportunities, whilst demonstrating the benefits of U.S.- UK collaboration in advanced nuclear technologies and data centre development.
The 900-acre Cottam site offers an unparalleled location, with grid connections and critical infrastructure that will significantly reduce development costs and timelines. This project could create thousands of high-skilled manufacturing and construction jobs, as well as long-term roles in operations to the benefit of the local community. The project will also enable foreign direct investment into the UK, including into nuclear fuel fabrication and services by Framatome and turbine manufacture by Arabelle Solutions.
The UK programme will benefit directly from Holtec’s SMR-300 deployment at Palisades, Michigan - the first SMR-300 plant in the U.S. As a second-of-a-kind deployment, the UK project will benefit from lessons already learned, to reduce risk and accelerate progress. Holtec is already advancing the SMR-300 design in close collaboration with UK regulators, paving the way for greater regulatory alignment between the U.S. and UK. As part of this collaboration, Holtec International will provide the SMR-300 technology and lead early development activities.
Feasibility studies and early-stage investment discussions are now underway, with Holtec International and EDF UK engaged with relevant parties within UK and U.S. governments, including Great British Energy – Nuclear and The National Wealth Fund. The 1GW data centre project for Cottam is targeted to come online by the end of the decade and forms part of the Trent Valley Supercluster, submitted as an AI Growth Zone to the UK Government. The data centre project will initially have a significant contribution from renewable generation, with the SMR element becoming operational in the 2030s.
Supporting Quotes
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:
“Small modular reactors will play a key role in our future clean energy mix, with Holtec and EDF’s proposed development at the old coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire demonstrating the transition to clean power in action, and how this can power industries of the future.
“By working with the US, we will reap the benefits of this golden age of nuclear, powering British homes with clean, homegrown energy, delivering well-paid skilled jobs and getting energy bills down for good.”
Simone Rossi, CEO of EDF in the UK said:
“EDF is excited to be exploring this major infrastructure project that could transform both the Cottam site, and the wider region. This opens the potential for the area to continue to play a key role in the UK’s energy system for decades to come.”
Dr Rick Springman, President of Global Clean Energy Opportunities, Holtec said:
“Together with EDF and Tritax, we will help the UK seize a leadership position in both advanced nuclear deployment and the global AI race. The SMR-300s at Cottam represent a potential $15 billion project, creating thousands of local jobs while drawing on the lessons from our Palisades project in Michigan. With this second-of-a-kind deployment, the UK is well positioned to join a global coalition of countries adopting the SMR-300 to drive long-term economic growth.”
James Dunlop, CEO Tritax Management, said:
“The Cottam project is another example of the collaboration between EDF and Tritax to deliver projects of scale to accelerate the development of a substantial cluster of data centres. This development showcases how Government and the private sector can work together to deliver best in class low carbon energy generation to enhance the UK’s critical national infrastructure.”
Mayor Claire Ward, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), said:
“This project will be transformational for Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands. By bringing together advanced nuclear technology with the fast-growing digital economy, it will create thousands of high-quality jobs in construction, manufacturing and operations. It builds on our region’s proud energy heritage and, as part of the Trent Valley Supercluster, ensures sites like Cottam remain at the forefront of clean energy and innovation for decades to come.”
“The East Midlands is already home to world-class engineering, manufacturing and energy expertise. This investment will not only deliver long-term skilled employment and attract new supply chains, but it also underlines our wider ambition for the Supercluster to be a magnet for research, inward investment and technological leadership. It is a powerful demonstration of how the East Midlands can lead the UK in clean energy, advanced technology and economic growth.”
Media contacts
Holtec
Patrick O'Brien, Director, Government Affairs and Communications
p.obrien@holtec.com
Mobile: +15084944254
EDF
Matt Taylor, Head of Communications and External Affairs, Nuclear
matt.taylor@edf-energy.com Mobile - 07768 272571
Jack Wakeley - Jack.wakeley@edf-energy.com Mobile – 07920 115635
Tritax Management
PR agency - Kekst CNC :
Tom Climie/Guy Bates +44 (0) 77 601 60 248 / +44 (0) 75 810 56 415
Email: tritax@kekstcnc.com
