The United Kingdom and the United States will sign an agreement to accelerate the development of new nuclear projects during President Donald Trump’s state visit, the British government announced.

The partnership promises faster regulatory approvals and several new private-sector investment deals for nuclear projects as the UK seeks to meet its net-zero emissions and energy security goals.

The announcement comes with Trump’s arrival in the UK for his historic second state visit, having previously been hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 during his first term.

The agreement envisions the UK and U.S. mutually recognizing safety assessments for new reactor projects, which is expected to reduce the licensing timeline for a nuclear project from three to four years down to two years.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the partnership puts the UK “on the path to a golden era of nuclear energy.”

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the UK has focused on strengthening nuclear power for energy security, addressing a fleet of aging power plants.

The UK indicated that the agreement includes “eliminating every last dependence on Russian nuclear materials by the end of 2028 – thereby further pushing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin out of the energy market.”

On Monday, several commercial deals were also announced, including one between the American company X-energy and the British firm Centrica to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, northeast England.

The American company Holtec, French firm EDF, and British company Tritax will also develop data centers powered by small modular reactors.

SMR reactors are designed to reduce the cost and complexity of building nuclear power plants.

The partnership also includes enhanced collaboration between the two countries on experimental nuclear fusion programs – a technology aimed at providing electricity without emissions or nuclear waste.

In June, the UK pledged billions of pounds in investments to revive its nuclear energy industry, including the new Sizewell C nuclear power plant. | BGNES