Balfour Beatty has signed a memorandum of understanding with Holtec Britain, a subsidiary of Holtec International, to support the planning advancement for the construction of Holtec's SMR-160 pressurised light-water reactors in the UK.

Balfour Beatty will act as the main UK construction partner and collaborate with HDEC on the civil construction and installation of the Mechanical, Electrical and Heating, Ventilation and Cooling systems as well as the equipment required for Holtec International's innovative SMR-160 reactors.

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Holtec International is planning to start the UK regulatory acceptance process of its SMR-160 reactors in 2023, which, when granted, will enable the start of the construction of the first UK unit in as early as 2028.

Once approved, the SMR-160 power plant units are poised to play a key role in the delivery of the UK Government’s Energy Security Strategy, targeting five gigawatts of clean electricity to the National Grid by 2050.

Stephen Tarr, Chief Executive Officer for Transport, Energy & Power Major Projects at Balfour Beatty, said: "We look forward to working with Holtec International to drive forward clean energy solutions. Our partnership will build on our long-standing experience and expertise in delivering nuclear projects and will ultimately support the UK’s transition towards a Net Zero future."