A former coal power station in Nottinghamshire is set to host a small modular reactor (SMR) designed to supply electricity to advanced data centres. Cottam Power Station, decommissioned in 2019, saw its eight 114m cooling towers demolished in August this year.
Three companies, US energy firm Holtec International, EDF UK, and property manager Tritax, have signed an agreement to develop the SMR on the site, which covers around 900 acres. Feasibility studies and early-stage investment planning are underway, with operational targets set for the 2030s.
The reactor would be the second SMR of its type, following a facility in Michigan, US. The project is expected to generate skilled roles in manufacturing, construction, and long-term operations, while also supporting the growth of data infrastructure in the region.
The site forms part of the Trent Valley Supercluster, proposed as an AI Growth Zone, linking advanced nuclear technology with digital sector development. Cottam originally opened in 1968 with a capacity to power 3.7 million homes and was intended for 30 years of operation before its life was extended to 2019.
The initiative reflects broader UK efforts to integrate small modular reactors into the national energy mix, repurposing former fossil fuel sites for low-carbon industrial activity.
