Amentum to lead £2.5bn Rolls-Royce SMR delivery at Wylfa

The US-headquartered advanced engineering company will work alongside Turner & Townsend, Mace Consult, Hochtief, and Unipart to deliver three small modular nuclear reactors on the North Wales site by the mid-2030s.

Amentum has 6,000 staff in the UK and has a strong reputation in nuclear work, having worked on Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C, and Sellafield.

SMRs represent a newer way to generate nuclear energy, boasting a smaller footprint than their larger predecessors and the capability to be made mass produced in factories. SMRs are only currently operational in China and Russia. Wylfa, which sits on the north coast of Anglesey, will be the first SMR nuclear power plant in the UK.

In addition to overseeing the programme delivery of the Rolls-Royce SMRs at Wylfa, Amentum will also perform the same role at Rolls-Royce SMR project in the Czech Republic.

The Wylfa nuclear plant is set to deliver up to 1.5GW of low-carbon energy. It represents an initial investment of £2.5bn, according to the Welsh Government.

Rolls-Royce officials said in November that its work at Wylfa was a 100-year commitment to clean energy, community partnership, and innovation. The SMR facility will create 8,000 long-term jobs, according to the company.

While the Wylfa project will start with just three SMRs, the potential for the delivery of up to eight will also be explored. The goal is for the SMRs to be connected to the grid by the mid-2030s.

“The Amentum Rolls-Royce SMR collaboration advances the deployment of this transformational technology, a critical enabler in strengthening energy security in the UK and continental Europe,” said John Heller, chief executive officer of Amentum.

“Amentum brings its industry-leading expertise as a project delivery partner for complex energy infrastructure to the forefront of small modular reactor deployment, ushering in the next generation of clean, reliable energy.”

Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive Chris Cholerton said: “By working with Amentum, an established and experienced global nuclear leader, we are combining our skills to build a powerful team that will enable successful delivery on our order commitments in multiple markets.

“We have secured a world‑leading partner that is fully invested in our success. This partnership plays directly to our strengths – ours in advanced manufacturing and engineering, and theirs in program and construction excellence. It is a truly synergistic relationship that strengthens our overall offering.”

Mace Consult chief executive Davendra Dabasia added: “Around the world, the pressing need to generate more low-carbon energy is more acute than ever. Rolls-Royce SMR’s vision to provide clean, affordable energy for all presents an ambitious, exciting and scalable solution to the challenge, and this appointment marks a critical step towards deployment.”

Dabasia elaborated on Mace’s role on the team.

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of Amentum’s delivery partner team, with our role serving as a signal of our track record not only in the nuclear industry, but as a leading major programme delivery consultant around the world,” he said.

“We are committed to bringing our experience, expertise and insights gathered from different sectors and geographies to provide Rolls-Royce SMR with a service grounded in best practice and innovation.”