ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR Explore Automation for Next-Generation Nuclear Fleet

ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR are joining forces to explore how automation, electrification and digital technologies could support the rollout of factory-built nuclear power plants.

The companies have signed an MOU focused on Rolls-Royce SMR’s small modular reactor programme, with ABB set to explore opportunities to contribute automation, instrumentation, electrification and communication technologies across future projects.

The partnership comes as interest in small modular reactors continues to grow worldwide. SMRs are designed around greater standardisation and modular construction, with more components potentially manufactured in controlled factory environments before deployment at site. Rolls-Royce SMR’s design is intended to generate 470 MW of low-carbon electricity per unit.

The International Energy Agency has projected that global SMR capacity could reach 40 GW by 2050 under current policy settings, with significantly higher potential if governments, regulators and industry accelerate deployment.

While the agreement does not yet represent a supply contract, it signals growing efforts across the energy industry to build the technology and supply-chain partnerships needed to turn promising designs into repeatable, commercially deployable power infrastructure.