Holtec International, EDF UK and Tritax announce plans to develop Cottam site with data centres and advanced nuclear technologies
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.
