Former Coal Power Station in Nottinghamshire to Host Advanced Small Modular Reactor for Data Centres
The Cottam Power Station, a former coal facility in Nottinghamshire, is poised for a significant transformation as it prepares to host a small modular reactor (SMR) intended to power advanced data centres. Originally opened in 1968, Cottam operated for over three decades before its decommissioning in 2019, culminating in the demolition of its eight towering cooling structures in August 2023.
In a strategic move, three prominent companies—US-based Holtec International, EDF UK, and property manager Tritax—have forged an agreement to develop this cutting-edge reactor on the expansive 900-acre site. Currently, feasibility studies and preliminary investment planning are underway, with ambitious operational targets set for the 2030s. This project will not only pave the way for the second SMR of its kind, following a similar facility in Michigan, but is also expected to create numerous skilled jobs in manufacturing and construction, alongside long-term operational roles.
The initiative falls within the framework of the Trent Valley supercluster, which aims to position the area as a hub for artificial intelligence and advanced nuclear technology, thus linking the growth of digital infrastructure with low-carbon energy solutions. As the UK looks to diversify its energy landscape, this project exemplifies a concerted effort to repurpose former fossil fuel sites into platforms for sustainable industrial activity, aligning with national goals to integrate small modular reactors into the energy mix.
