UK Government Announces Major US Investment – a Former Coal Site Will Be Repowered!
A Historic Partnership for Clean Energy
President Trump is currently on a state visit to the UK, where he enjoyed a state banquet with King Charles and US tech CEOs at Windsor Castle.
Earlier this afternoon, Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer put pen to paper on a new £250bn US–UK ‘Tech Prosperity Deal’ – the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Energy.
This is a historic moment for the UK, which will increase the production of clean, homegrown and secure energy.
A Golden Age of Nuclear Innovation
Sir Starmer has said that the deal “will drive down household bills in the long run, while delivering thousands of good jobs in the short term. Together with the US, we’re building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment.”
A press release from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero sets out a major commercial deal, with repowering prominently featured:
“Holtec, EDF and Tritax — plans to develop advanced data centres powered by small modular reactors at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire. Holtec estimate the project value to be around £11 billion, and it is expected to create thousands of high-skilled construction jobs, as well as long-term roles in operations for the local community.”
A Milestone for Repower Initiative
For us at the Repower Initiative, it’s time for celebration!
The Cottam coal site will see a second life generating clean power.
We have been campaigning to promote the repowering pathway since 2019, and real change is here.
Repowering was once a fringe academic idea. Now the UK and US governments are onboard!
Industry Voices
James Dunlop, CEO of Tritax, said:
“The Cottam project … showcases how Government and the private sector can work together to deliver best-in-class low carbon energy generation to enhance the UK’s critical national infrastructure.”
The deal increases access to the market for UK and US companies, accelerates the time required for site licensing, and does away with dated red tape which previously limited UK nuclear development to only a handful of sites.
It goes to show — with enough political willpower, we absolutely will move beyond fossil fuels.
Looking Ahead
Our analysis of UK’s coal power sites using our tool RepowerScore shows 25 other retired coal plants which would be strong contenders for future repowering projects.
We recommend Aberthaw-B Power Station as one of the optimum sites in the UK.