Michal Solowow’s SGE SMR Consortium Plans 14 Small Modular Reactors in the UK

Michal Solowow’s consortium will build 14 300-MW BWRX-300 SMRs on three UK sites, including the former Oldbury plant in Gloucestershire, with electricity expected from 2034.

The Guardian

The Labour government’s advanced nuclear framework offers contracts-for-difference (CfD) that lock in a fixed price and pay developers during construction, creating a clear route to market for private SMR projects. The scheme resembles the contract offered to the Hinkley Point C nuclear project, providing construction-phase payments before electricity is generated.

The Guardian

SGE SMR partners with GE Vernova, Hitachi, and Google Cloud, which may invest £4.5 billion in data-centre projects using SMR power. Tom Greatrex of the Nuclear Industry Association praised the plan, while Rolls-Royce remains a rival after winning a separate CfD competition.

The Guardian

Each reactor will cost £2.2-£2.5 billion, totaling about £31 billion for 14 units. The BWRX-300 is a 10th-generation boiling-water design marketed as proven technology.

The Guardian

The SMRs could supply baseload power for 8 million homes and AI-intensive data centres, bolstering the UK supply chain and reflecting increased interest in SMR deployment amid competition with Rolls-Royce.

The Guardian

Solowow said the government’s framework provides a clear route to market for private SMR development and highlighted the UK’s experienced nuclear workforce as a key asset, arguing the project would give the British economy a competitive edge. Greatrex said the framework has revived interest in privately led nuclear projects. The CfD scheme, while ensuring a fixed electricity price, has drawn criticism for moving construction-phase cost risk onto consumers.

The Guardian

Critics warn that CfD payments during construction could raise electricity bills if SMR projects are delayed, shifting financial risk to consumers.

The Guardian

The consortium has not disclosed the future operator or the precise locations of the three sites beyond the Oldbury application, leaving a gap in the public deployment plan.

The Guardian

• “Because of this, I am confident we will set a new standard for nuclear development by combining our disruptive business model with the BWRX-300’s 10th-generation proven technology.” — Michal Solowow, Industrialist

The Guardian

• “a clear path to market” — Michal Solowow, Industrialist

The Guardian

• “home to one of the world’s most experienced nuclear workforces” — Michal Solowow, Industrialist

The Guardian

• “has really revived and spurred interest in privately led nuclear projects” — Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive, Nuclear Industry Association

The Guardian

SGE aims to submit site applications by mid-2027 and secure a CfD contract to guarantee a competitive electricity price. The first reactor should generate power by 2034, and Google Cloud is slated to invest up to £4.5 billion in data-centre projects using SMR electricity.

The Guardian