British multinational energy company, Centrica, has entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with X-Energy to deploy the UK’s first Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs). The nuclear energy project will use X-Energy’s Xe-100 reactors.
The first site chosen is Hartlepool – adjacent to its existing nuclear station, which is due to retire in 2028. This marks a major leap in Britain’s energy transition, targeting scalable nuclear deployment, industrial heat provision, and major supply chain investment. It also comes after Centrica recently invested £1.3bn for a 15% stake in the 3.2GW Sizewell C project being developed in Suffolk, greatly boosting its overall financing.
Project Factsheet
Project: Hartlepool Advanced Modular Reactors Deployment
Location: Hartlepool, UK
Developers: Centrica, X-Energy
Capacity: Up to 960 MW (a 12-unit deployment)
Project Timeline: Development work begins 2026
Regulatory Status: Site already designated under UK policy. Project licensing underway
Homes Powered: 1.5 million
Economic Value: Approx. £12 billion lifetime value
Industrial Use: High-temperature heat for heavy industries
Centrica Nuclear Energy Project Chooses Hartlepool, UK as First Site
Hartlepool is the preferred first location for the planned UK fleet totaling up to 6 gigawatts (GW) of new-generation nuclear power. A 12-unit build at Hartlepool could yield about 960 MW of electricity. This is enough to power up to 1.5 million homes, and create over £12 billion in lifetime economic value.
Regulation and Economics Outlook
The Hartlepool site is already designated for new nuclear under the UK government’s National Policy Statement. The existing Hartlepool reactor station is to cease operations in 2028, and deploying new AMRs will help retain skilled workforce and existing infrastructure.
The joint nuclear energy deal also factors in high-temperature heat provision. This goes on to support heavy industries like the recently announced £2 billion sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Teesside.
Project Timeline
Centrica will provide initial development capital, with full-scale construction activities aimed to begin in 2026. However, this is subject to regulatory and licensing approvals. First electricity generation is expected by mid-2030s.
The two companies are also seeking additional equity partners and engineering and construction firms to form a UK-based development company.
Technology Use by Centrica in the Nuclear Energy Project in Hartlepool, UK
X-Energy’s Xe-100 is a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). The modular unit designed by the American nuclear reactor and fuel engineering company is built for both electricity generation and industrial heat and steam.
Additionally, the modular approach also accelerates construction and is more cost effective. It also scales more predictably compared to traditional large nuclear builds.
