President Donald Trump has arrived in the United Kingdom for an official state visit. While much of the trip is intended to cement goodwill between the United Kingdom and the Trump administration, full of ceremonial events and celebration, substantive policy discussions are also on the agenda. Notably, Trump’s visit could mark the start of the “golden age” of nuclear power. 

During Trump’s visit, the United States and the United Kingdom are expected to sign several nuclear power deals under the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy. This initiative is designed to accelerate nuclear development in both countries by streamlining approvals and construction. For example, if a type of nuclear technology passes safety and regulatory approvals in one country, it can be deployed in the other country too. It is expected that this partnership could dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to build new nuclear power plants in both countries, bringing much-needed clean energy online without long delays. 

“With President Trump’s leadership, the United States is ushering in a true nuclear renaissance–harnessing the power of commercial nuclear to meet rising energy demand and fuel the AI revolution,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

Before Trump’s visit, the United Kingdom’s Office for Nuclear Regulation and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission signed a memorandum of understanding, signaling future collaboration. 

The partnership is heavily focused on innovative technology, specifically advanced small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). There are currently no SMRs in operation in either the United States or the United Kingdom. However, the deals that will be signed this week by the two countries come only a couple of months after U.K.-based Rolls-Royce announced that the company had received backing from the British government to pursue SMR development. Numerous companies, including Google and Amazon, have also announced efforts to pursue SMR development in the United States. American companies have some of the world’s most promising SMR technologies. 

Several commercial deals will accompany the signing of the partnership. For example, U.S.-based nuclear developer X-Energy and energy company Centrica plan to develop 12 SMRs in Hartlepool, England. This project would create approximately 2,500 jobs and power 1.5 million homes. 

“Together with the US, we’re building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment,” stated British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 

In the 1990s, the United Kingdom received one-quarter of its power from nuclear energy—that has fallen to 15 percent. The United States has had relatively stagnant nuclear generation, with nuclear providing roughly 19 percent of America’s energy output for the past several decades. A nuclear renaissance would serve both countries well, offering the affordable, clean power necessary to reduce carbon emissions while meeting the increasing power demand, mainly driven by data centers. 

If Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom truly marks the start of the “golden age” of nuclear, the economy, environment, and global energy future will all be better for it. 

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.