Michał Sołowow, Poland’s wealthiest individual, is expanding his energy ventures beyond Poland with plans to construct 14 small modular reactors (SMRs) in the United Kingdom. His company, Synthos Green Energy (SGE), has been collaborating with Orlen on SMR projects in Poland and is now set to deliver 4.2 gigawatts (GW) of power in the UK, sufficient to meet approximately 11% of the country’s energy needs and supply clean energy to around 8 million households for a minimum of 60 years.
SGE has already formed a special company, OSGE, that holds essential decisions for the establishment of 26 plants across six sites in Poland, with the first two units scheduled to be built on Orlen’s chemical plant site in Włocławek. However, Sołowow emphasizes that his UK endeavors will not interfere with the Polish projects, as both markets have distinct timelines.
Sołowow aims to introduce the BWRX-300 reactor technology developed by GE Vernova and Hitachi Nuclear Energy in several European countries. He believes that by participating in a standardized reactor design, SGE can achieve economies of scale that will help reduce construction costs, including in Poland.
As part of the UK project, SGE plans to apply for a Contract for Difference (CfD). This long-term agreement between energy producers and the government ensures a stable price for generated power, compensating producers when market prices are lower than the guaranteed rate. Recently, SGE and Orlen requested a CfD for their SMR projects in Poland from the Ministry of Energy.
UK Opens Doors to SMR Technology
To facilitate the project, SGE has established SGE SMR UK Limited and intends to utilize local supply chains for implementation. Sołowow asserts that the project will provide a significant competitive edge to the UK economy.
He also highlighted that the UK possesses one of the world’s most experienced nuclear workforces, and the British government has provided a clear path for SMR technology through its Advanced Nuclear Framework (AFN). He expressed confidence that SGE’s innovative business model, combined with the proven BWRX-300 technology, will set new benchmarks in the nuclear sector.
Project Locations and Costs
The construction of the 14 reactors will occur across three sites. A proposal for the acquisition of these sites was part of a detailed 1,500-page documentation package submitted to the British government. SGE has already invested approximately £50 million in the project.
The cost of each reactor is estimated to range from £2.2 billion to £2.5 billion. The plans are earmarked as commercial investments backed by private funding.
Collaboration with Global Giants
The small reactors will be developed in partnership with international firms experienced in the nuclear sector. Key players include Samsung C&T, known for engineering and construction of major projects worldwide, including the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE and the Shin-Kori nuclear plant in South Korea.
Other partners involved in the UK nuclear project include Laing O’Rourke, Aecon, Google Cloud, Fermi Development, and Etara. The name of the nuclear plant operator has not yet been disclosed.
British Commitment to Small Modular Reactors
SGE has submitted its application under the AFN for the establishment of a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors. This technology is exclusive to Sołowow in several European countries, including the UK and Germany.
The AFN aims to support the development, commercialization, and implementation of innovative nuclear projects in the UK energy sector by creating a favorable regulatory environment for private investors. This initiative provides early government engagement and support in critical areas from planning to supply chain management.
According to Rafał Kasprów, president of SGE, the application for the AFN marks a significant milestone in the ambition to develop a fleet of BWRX-300 SMRs in the UK and EU. He notes that the UK is among the most advanced nuclear markets in Europe, with a skilled workforce and a strong industrial base.
Global Vision for Nuclear Energy
SGE asserts that this initiative represents the largest private investment in nuclear energy within the UK and has the potential to exceed current nuclear power expansion efforts.
The first BWRX-300 reactor is under construction in Canada and is expected to come online commercially first. Additionally, the UK has previously endorsed this technology, successfully passing the second stage of the Generic Design Assessment in December of last year.
The project involves multi-unit power plants in three locations, starting with a configuration of six BWRX-300 units, yielding a total capacity of 1.8 GW.
SGE anticipates that the project will be integrated into the UK nuclear initiative by November 2026, with site selection and negotiations for government support expected to conclude by mid-2027. Following this, main construction and permitting processes will take about a year, with operations of the first module slated for 2034, two years after the planned launch of the first SMR in Poland.
