Jacobs Selected to Support Planning and Approvals for U.K. Small Modular Reactor Development
Jacobs has been appointed by Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to provide planning and consenting services for the development of proposed small modular reactor (SMR) projects across the United Kingdom, marking another significant step in the country’s effort to expand its nuclear power capabilities and strengthen long-term energy security.
The appointment highlights the growing importance of advanced nuclear technologies in the U.K.’s energy transition strategy. As electricity demand rises and governments seek reliable low-carbon generation sources, small modular reactors are increasingly being viewed as a critical component of future energy systems. Through this contract, Jacobs will play a central role in helping GBE-N navigate the complex planning and regulatory requirements associated with bringing new nuclear infrastructure projects to fruition.
Under the agreement, Jacobs will provide strategic planning support, consent management services and leadership across a range of land-use planning activities designed to advance project approvals. The initial phase of the work will focus on two key sites identified for future nuclear development: Gwyndod, formerly known as Wylfa Newydd in North Wales, and Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire.
Both locations have long been recognized as potential sites for new nuclear generation and are considered strategically important for the U.K.’s future energy infrastructure. While the current scope centers on these locations, the agreement also creates opportunities for Jacobs to support additional sites that may become part of Great British Energy – Nuclear’s broader ambitions to establish a fleet of SMRs across the country.
The planning and consenting process for nuclear infrastructure in the U.K. involves extensive regulatory oversight and stakeholder engagement. Jacobs’ responsibilities are expected to include preparation and support for Development Consent Order (DCO) applications as well as submissions under the Town and Country Planning Act. These processes are essential for obtaining the approvals required to move major infrastructure projects from concept into development and eventual construction.
The company will work closely with planning specialist Quod, which has been appointed as planning subconsultant for the program. Together, the organizations will provide integrated planning expertise to support regulatory submissions and project development activities.
Beyond regulatory documentation, the scope of work extends to a wide range of assessments and engagement initiatives that are increasingly important in large infrastructure developments. These include statutory consultations with stakeholders, socio-economic studies, traffic and transportation assessments, and broader community engagement efforts aimed at understanding regional impacts and ensuring local considerations are incorporated into project planning.
Richard Sanderson, Executive Vice President at Jacobs, emphasized the strategic importance of new nuclear generation in supporting both energy security and decarbonization goals.
According to Sanderson, nuclear energy will play a vital role in strengthening resilient electricity systems while helping nations transition toward lower-carbon energy portfolios. He noted that successfully delivering major nuclear projects requires comprehensive planning, strong community engagement and effective navigation of complex regulatory frameworks.
Sanderson said Jacobs’ integrated team will support GBE-N in establishing a robust planning framework for the proposed sites, ensuring that development proposals are informed by detailed analysis, stakeholder perspectives and long-term regional planning considerations.
Great British Energy – Nuclear Chief Executive Simon Roddy also highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that the successful deployment of the U.K.’s first fleet of SMRs depends heavily on a deep understanding of the country’s planning and consenting environment.
Roddy stated that maintaining momentum and focus in advancing SMR projects requires specialist expertise in infrastructure planning and regulatory processes. He welcomed the appointment of Jacobs and Quod, expressing confidence that the organizations’ experience would help accelerate progress toward achieving the government’s nuclear ambitions.
As part of its responsibilities, Jacobs will guide both planning applications and post-application activities, supporting interactions with planning authorities, regulatory agencies, local communities and other stakeholders. This work is expected to be instrumental in addressing potential concerns, identifying opportunities for regional economic development and ensuring that projects deliver long-term benefits to surrounding communities.
Socio-economic assessments conducted under the program will examine factors such as employment generation, workforce requirements and broader economic impacts associated with SMR deployment. Traffic and transport studies will also help determine infrastructure requirements and identify strategies to minimize disruption during future construction and operational phases.
Jacobs’ appointment builds upon more than six decades of experience delivering civil nuclear solutions across highly regulated environments worldwide. The company has established a strong reputation in supporting the full lifecycle of nuclear assets, including planning, engineering, project delivery, decommissioning and waste management.
Over the years, Jacobs has participated in numerous major nuclear initiatives, helping governments and industry stakeholders develop safe, reliable and sustainable nuclear infrastructure. Its expertise spans both conventional large-scale nuclear facilities and emerging advanced reactor technologies, including small modular reactors.
In the United Kingdom, Jacobs continues to maintain a significant presence within the civil nuclear sector. The company has contributed to several of the nation’s most important nuclear programs, including the development of Sizewell C, one of the country’s flagship new nuclear power projects aimed at providing low-carbon electricity for millions of homes.
Jacobs has also been involved in activities related to Hinkley Point C, currently one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects and the first new nuclear power station to be constructed in the U.K. in decades. Additionally, the company has played an important role at Sellafield, supporting one of the world’s most complex nuclear decommissioning and waste management programs.
The latest appointment by Great British Energy – Nuclear follows another recent selection of Jacobs to provide environmental services associated with potential SMR development at the Oldbury site. Together, these contracts demonstrate increasing confidence in the company’s capabilities to support multiple dimensions of advanced nuclear project development.
The U.K.’s renewed focus on nuclear energy comes at a time when governments around the world are seeking dependable sources of low-carbon electricity capable of complementing renewable energy resources. Small modular reactors are attracting growing interest because of their potential advantages, including lower upfront costs, modular construction techniques, shorter development timelines and enhanced flexibility in deployment.
SMRs are also seen as a promising solution for meeting future electricity demand driven by electrification, industrial growth and the rapid expansion of energy-intensive technologies such as artificial intelligence and data centers.
As countries pursue net-zero emissions targets and seek to improve energy independence, expertise in planning and delivering SMR projects is becoming increasingly valuable on a global scale. Jacobs’ growing experience in supporting these initiatives positions the company to play an influential role not only in the U.K.’s nuclear future but also in emerging international markets considering advanced nuclear technologies.
The partnership between Jacobs, Quod and Great British Energy – Nuclear therefore represents more than a conventional planning assignment. It reflects the broader transformation underway within the global energy sector, where nuclear power—and particularly small modular reactors—is increasingly viewed as a key pillar in delivering secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity systems for decades to come.
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