Atom is prematurely split in the ‘golden age’ transatlantic partnership | Nils Pratley

📊 Business News Analysis: Our editorial team has analyzed recent developments from theguardian.com in the Business sector. This report covers key insights related to and emerging industry trends that professionals should monitor closely.

Industry observers in Business are monitoring emerging trends closely. Data shows that it had all been so harmonious two months ago. Evidence suggests that “Together with the US, we’re building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment,” purred the prime minister about the new “landmark” UK-US nuclear partnership.

Now there’s an atomic split over the first significant decision. The UK has allocated Wylfa on the island of Anglesey, or Ynys Môn, to host three small modular reactors (SMRs) to be built by the British developer Rolls-Royce SMR. Evidence suggests that the US ambassador, Warren Stephens, says his country is “extremely disappointed”: he wanted Westinghouse, a US company, to get the gig for a large-scale reactor. This quarrel is easy to adjudicate.

The US ambassador is living in dreamland if he seriously thought the UK wouldn’t show home bias at Wylfa. This is the coveted site for new nuclear power in the UK because the land is owned by the government, which ought to make the planning process easier and quicker, and the site hosted a Magnox reactor until 2015, so the locals are used to nuclear plants. Sources indicate that since Rolls-Royce’s kit is the best national hope of reviving the UK’s industry with homegrown technology, of course there was going to be preferential treatment.

None of which is to say the SMR experiment will definitely succeed in the sense of demonstrating cheapness (a relative measure in nuclear-land) versus mega-plants, such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C or the Westinghouse design. According to reports that rolls-Royce oozes confidence about the cost-saving advantages of prefabrication in factories, but these have yet to be demonstrated on the ground. The point, though, is that the only way to find out is to get on and build. Rolls-Royce SMR’s only other order currently is from the Czech Republic for six units.

Indeed, the criticism from some quarters is that the UK government has been too timid in ordering only three. If the batch-production is supposed to be the gamechanger on costs, goes the argument, then commit to a decent-sized batch at the outset. Evidence suggests that the choice of Wylfa may help on that score in time, though. The site is reckoned to be big enough to hold an additional five SMR units eventually, on the top of the first three.

Since each SMR is 470 megawatts, a full build-out would equate to more megawatts in total than the 3,200 from each of Hinkley and Sizewell. The sop to the US is that Westinghouse gets to compete for future large-scale reactor projects in the UK. It would probably have been a good idea to tell the ambassador in advance before he blew a fuse.

Data shows that reserving Wylfa for Rolls-Royce SMRs was the only sensible decision here. Sources indicate that hopes that SMR technology will become a major export-earner for the UK eventually are best treated with extreme caution at this stage. According to reports that the first electricity from Wylfa won’t be generated until the mid-2030s, and the demonstration of falling costs with each additional unit can only come after that.

There is a long way to go. But a good way to maximise your chance of success is to give the top site to your pet project. The US would have done exactly the same.

These developments reflect broader trends shaping the Business industry as organizations adapt to evolving market conditions.

— Based on reporting from theguardian.com

💡 Key Industry Insights

Enterprise software solutions and SaaS platforms are experiencing increased adoption rates across industries.

Market Impact: These developments in the industry may significantly influence market dynamics. Industry experts recommend monitoring these trends closely for strategic planning purposes.

Analysis Note: This comprehensive overview synthesizes current market intelligence from theguardian.com regarding industry developments and related sectors. Stay informed about ongoing developments in this rapidly evolving landscape.