UK Announces Plans to Build a New Nuclear Reactor; Leads to US Anger
A rendering of a Small Modular Reactor facility proposed by Rolls-Royce. Friday, September 9, 2022. Photo: AP News
On November 13, 2025, the UK Government announced that it had decided to build its first small nuclear power station in Wylfa on Anglesey, an island in North Wales. This power station would be built in partnership with Rolls-Royce, who are leading the design. This move aimed to quickly and cheaply increase energy security and efficiency, which would allow the UK to meet its climate targets.
The decision to go ahead with the project was made after the UK initially promised to build cheaper and more energy efficient Small Modular Reactors on February 6, 2025. Starmer argued that the UK had been “left behind” in its nuclear progress, and these plans would help to generate growth in the UK energy sector.
In September 2025, Britain and the US signed a deal which detailed a working relationship to increase nuclear power in both the UK and the US. The UK had already taken steps to increase its nuclear power, and therefore the collaboration aimed to speed up the new projects and investments. Firms from both countries (X-Energy and Centrica) aimed to work together to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Northeast England. These original plans included goals to build US Small Modular Reactors in central England in a collaborative effort between both states.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a joint press conference at Chequers near Aylesbury, England. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Photo: AP Newsroom
However, the recently announced plans to build a Small Modular Reactor in Wales have angered the US. The US has criticised the decision to build a nuclear reactor at this location as they had been pushing for the US energy firm Westinghouse to lead a nuclear project on the same site. In a statement by US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, he outlines how his administration is “extremely disappointed by this decision,” due to the waste of money and resources that would come with the construction of a Small Modular Reactor at this location as the US pushes for these types of reactors to be built in Northern England.
Whilst the decision to build here may have seemed hostile, Britain is still keen to work with the US on nuclear energy; a spokesperson for British Starmer stated that Wylfa was simply the best site for this project. Furthermore, the decision to build these new mini-reactors will deliver power for the equivalent of 3 million homes, and will create 3,000 jobs in the local community during construction, thereby supporting the UK economy. Despite the decision to build the Reactor in Wylfa, the UK is still keen to work with the US on building a larger nuclear plant elsewhere, “making sure that the US has a meaningful role in [their] plans.”
Rolls-Royce have entered the US regulatory process for their Small Modular Reactor plans, paving the way for potential jobs and investment in the US. Furthermore, the UK is still seemingly keen to maintain US nuclear ties. This raises questions about how this decision to build the reactor in Wylfa will affect US/UK nuclear relations in the future.