Jacobs to support planning for Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR programme
Professional services company Jacobs has been appointed by Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) to provide planning and consenting services for the development of the UK’s planned fleet of small modular reactors (SMRs).
The consultant will provide strategic planning, consent support and leadership for key land-use planning activities to help advance the project approvals required for new nuclear development. Initially, work will focus on the Gwyndod site, formerly known as Wylfa Newydd, and Oldbury-on-Severn, with the potential to expand to additional sites supporting GBE-N’s future ambitions.
Working alongside planning subconsultant Quod, Jacobs will support Development Consent Order (DCO) and Town and Country Planning Act applications. The commission also includes statutory stakeholder engagement, socio-economic assessments, and traffic and transport assessments to help inform project planning and community considerations.
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.”
GBE-N chief executive Simon Roddy said: “Continuing to deliver the first of the UK’s fleet of SMRs with pace and focus will require a deep understanding of the planning and consenting processes for energy infrastructure in the UK, and I’m pleased to have appointed Jacobs and Quod to help us in this effort.”
As well as preparing planning applications, Jacobs will support post-application activities, including engagement with planning authorities, regulators, communities and other stakeholder groups. The team will also contribute to socio-economic and traffic and transport assessments to help inform regional impacts and workforce considerations.
The appointment builds on Jacobs’ more than 60 years of experience delivering civil nuclear projects across the full asset lifecycle, from new build programmes to decommissioning and waste management.
In the UK, the company is currently involved in major programmes including Sizewell C (main image), Hinkley Point C and Sellafield. Jacobs was also recently appointed by GBE-N to provide environmental services for potential SMR development at the Oldbury site.
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