Jacobs and Quod to provide support for small modular reactors programme

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has confirmed that it has appointed business consulting and services specialist Jacobs and planning subconsultant Quod to assist with planning and consenting for the proposed small modular reactors (SMRs) development in the UK.

Under this agreement, Jacobs will provide strategic planning, consent support and leadership to key land-use planning activities to help advance required project approvals.

Initially, the focus will be on new nuclear development at the Gwyndod (formerly Wylfa Newydd) and Oldbury-on-Severn sites, with the potential to include additional sites that will support GBE-N’s future ambitions.

Work is likely to include Development Consent Order and Town and Country Planning Act applications. The work will also entail statutory stakeholder engagement, socio-economic and traffic and transport assessments to help inform project planning and community considerations.

Reacting to the news, Jacobs executive vice president Richard Sanderson said: “New nuclear generation will play an important role in strengthening energy security and supporting the transition to lower-carbon power systems.

“Delivering this project requires careful planning, robust engagement with communities and a clear path through complex regulatory processes.

“Our integrated team will support GBE-N in advancing the planning framework for their sites, enabling development proposals to be informed by strong analysis, stakeholder input and long-term regional considerations.”

In response, BE-N chief executive Simon Roddy commented: “Continuing to deliver the first of the U.K.’s fleet of SMRs with pace and focus will require a deep understanding of the planning and consenting processes for energy infrastructure in the U.K., and I’m pleased to have appointed Jacobs and Quod to help us in this effort.”

Jacobs will help guide planning applications and post-application activities, including engagement with planning authorities, regulators, communities and other groups. The team will also contribute to socio-economic and traffic and transport assessments to help inform regional impacts and workforce considerations.