North East firms urged to bid for £1.4bn Rolls-Royce SMR contracts

North East firms are being urged to compete for a share of £1.4 billion in contracts tied to Rolls-Royce SMR’s next generation of small nuclear reactors. The supplier push is designed to expand UK participation in clean-energy projects, including one plan targeting more than 70% domestic content. Rolls-Royce SMR’s Supplier Programme, set to follow a contract signing with Great British Energy-Nuclear in April 2026, has forecast £1.4 billion of opportunity for UK businesses in its first year. Since forming in 2021, the company has spent more than £300 million with UK suppliers, with 88% of total spending so far directed domestically. It has engaged with 650+ UK businesses and held three events.