The Advanced Nuclear Framework: Private Sector Nuclear Power in the UK

The UK government has published its Advanced Nuclear Framework.

The Advanced Nuclear Framework sets out how the government will create an enabling policy environment for private sector investment in advanced civil nuclear projects. It is designed to support the development, commercialisation, and deployment of innovative nuclear projects within the UK energy system. 

Executive Summary

Nuclear power is a cornerstone of the UK’s clean, secure energy system, providing reliable, continuous, low‑carbon power that complements intermittent renewables and underpins grid stability. Advanced nuclear technologies (Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), and Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs)) can offer faster, more predictable deployment through modular, factory‑based fabrication; lower upfront capital requirements than traditional gigawatt‑scale plants; and new applications including industrial process heat, hydrogen and synthetic fuel production, and firm power for data centres.

The government is delivering the most ambitious civil nuclear programme in half a century: at the Spending Review, we committed £14.2 billion to Sizewell C and over £2.5 billion to the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE‑N) SMR project at Wylfa. Together with Hinkley Point C, these projects will add almost 8 GW of capacity in the 2030s, enough to power the equivalent of around 15 million of today’s homes with GBE‑N’s initial three‑unit programme intended to catalyse a longer‑term fleet.

Our ambition extends beyond government‑backed projects; the government intends to enable privately led advanced nuclear projects so that credible developers can rapidly progress projects supported by risk‑bearing private capital under an enabling policy framework.

Traditionally, nuclear projects have relied on significant state underwriting or delivery  by state‑owned entities, reflecting the scale, complexity, and capital intensity of gigawatt‑scale plants. Advanced nuclear technologies have the potential to transform
this model. Their modular design enables factory‑based fabrication and replicable units, reducing construction timelines and improving predictability. With far smaller capital requirements than conventional large reactors, these technologies open the door to nuclear projects owned, delivered and financed by the private sector.

Industry engagement indicates that privately led projects are viable in the UK where the enabling environment is clear. Needs vary by technology and business model, supplying electricity to the grid, delivering heat to industry, providing private‑wire power to data centres, or hybrid combinations, and so too will funding and financing requirements and the form of support sought from government. This Advanced Nuclear Framework sets out that enabling environment.

The scope of this framework is tightly focused on enabling advanced nuclear projects. Large-scale nuclear technologies are not included though the government continues to support GW-scale nuclear power. In addition to the current Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C projects, the government tasked GBE-N in November 2025 with identifying suitable UK sites that could potentially host future large-scale projects.

Part One introduces the UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline, a new government‑managed process through which projects submit detailed plans across five core areas: technology and supply chain; developer capability; finance/funding/investment; siting;
and operator/end‑user arrangements. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and GBE‑N will then conduct eligibility checks and a structured Project Readiness Assessment (PRA) (rapid triage, then deep dive). Projects assessed at or above the threshold may be invited to join the Pipeline, subject to ministerial approval and agreement to Pipeline terms. Pipeline Membership confers a Statement of Limited, In‑Principle, Endorsement, signalling that government considers the project credible and potentially deliverable in the UK, thereby helping developers and investors progress financing and due diligence. Pipeline projects may engage with DESNZ on potential revenue support, e.g., a Contracts for Difference (CfD)‑style mechanism that stabilises future revenues, and High Impact, Low Probability (HILP) risk protections where private markets cannot efficiently bear residual risks. Note that any offer of support will be on a
case‑by‑case basis, subject to approvals, including affordability and value for money.

In parallel, all companies can approach the National Wealth Fund (NWF), who bring £27.8 billion of capital, a dedicated nuclear team, and a full suite of debt, equity and hybrid instruments, to explore investment opportunities aligned with strategic priorities. The NWF can act as a catalytic investor, which will work alongside private capital.

Part Two sets out wider enablers that the government is putting in place to support nuclear deployment, reforming the planning system, grid connection process, and regulatory process, to ease and accelerate deployment of new plants. Planning
reform via the National Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy Generation (EN‑7) provides a flexible, criteria‑based approach to siting, brings SMRs and AMRs within the development consent framework, and supports co‑location with
energy‑intensive industry.

Grid connection reforms led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), including the Gate‑2‑to‑Whole‑Queue (G2TWQ) process within the Decision on Connections Reform Package (TM04+), prioritise ready projects and reduce delays, with further system planning through the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) due in 2027.

Regulatory innovation is advancing: the independent Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce reported 47 recommendations at the Budget, which government has accepted in principle, with an implementation plan to follow in early 2026; regulators offer
voluntary early engagement to de‑risk pathways before formal steps such as Generic Design Assessment (GDA) or site licensing. Internationally, we are deepening collaboration through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), bilateral
partnerships such as the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy with the US, and regulator‑to‑regulator arrangements to support design harmonisation and efficient cross‑jurisdictional assessments.

Fuel strategy clarity underpins investor confidence: all civil fission reactors deployed in the UK must use uranium fuel enriched to less than 20% U‑235. To secure supply for advanced reactors, government has announced up to £300 million for a domestic HALEU supply chain, including £196 million awarded to Urenco to deliver commercial‑scale enrichment by the early 2030s.

The UK also has outstanding research capabilities. The UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) provides world‑class facilities such as the unique Post‑Irradiation Examination capability at the Active Handling Facility, technical services and
licensing support to de‑risk technology validation and deployment. The High Value Manufacturing Catapult acts as a strategic delivery partner for nuclear manufacturing readiness, qualification, and assurance across welding/joining, additive
and near‑net‑shape manufacturing, automation/robotics, large‑scale machining, modularisation, and digital engineering/inspection.

We want to see new developments on public land: GBE‑N sites such as Oldbury and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) locations such as Pioneer Park in Cumbria and Trawsfynydd offer opportunities where technical and regulatory conditions are
met. Skills are scaling through the Nuclear Skills Plan, with thousands of early‑career starters and new doctoral training capacity to support civil and defence programmes.

This is a holistic and enabling framework for the private sector, covering financing, funding, planning, regulation, fuels, skills, sites, and supply chain. This framework is designed to support and accelerate credible, privately led advanced nuclear projects
backed by private capital, while maintaining consumer value for money and high standards of safety, security, and environmental protection. The government wants to make the UK one of the best countries in the world to develop private nuclear projects.

To support the delivery of the Framework, a dedicated business-focussed team in DESNZ will be established to act as a concierge-style service for companies to help them navigate the UK system. This Advanced Nuclear Business Engagement Unit will act as facilitators for projects, helping them progress, and supporting wide-ranging engagement with government and other key bodies in the UK such as the Office for Nuclear Regulation, National Wealth Fund, and local authorities.

Read the full policy paper below.