Dutch ULC-Energy and US McDermott sign cooperation agreement to advance Rolls-Royce SMR deployment in the Netherlands

Dutch nuclear development company ULC-Energy and US engineering and construction firm McDermott announced on August 2 the signing of a cooperation agreement to support the project development of Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors (SMR) in the Netherlands.

The cooperation includes integrating SMR energy supply solutions with energy-intensive industrial processes, leveraging McDermott's experience in energy transition and industrial decarbonization (low-carbon hydrogen, ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel, carbon capture and utilization), combined with ULC-Energy's nuclear project development capabilities. The two parties previously collaborated in 2023 to study industrial hydrogen production using "Rolls-Royce SMR + solid oxide electrolyzer," with ULC coordinating and McDermott providing engineering design and cost information for thermal integration/plant layout systems. McDermott's Senior Vice President of Low Carbon Solutions, Rob Shaul, stated that the agreement consolidates the existing relationship and reflects a shared commitment to advancing low-carbon energy in the Netherlands; the company has a long-standing presence in the country with its Hague center supporting projects across Europe. ULC-Energy CEO Dirk Rabelink noted that nuclear energy is effective when integrated into the energy system, and that SMRs flexibly supply electricity, heat, and hydrogen, with earlier cooperation having demonstrated this pathway, expressing hope to expand to other applications.

McDermott joins the ULC strategic partner network led by Rolls-Royce SMR, which includes Siemens Energy, BAM, Mammoet, Bureau Veritas, Urenco, Orano, and Fugro, supporting the implementation of SMR energy solutions in the Netherlands and Belgium. In December 2021, the Dutch coalition government placed nuclear power at the center of its climate and energy policy: extending the life of Borssele and building new reactors; initial plans call for completing 2 new units around 2035, each with a capacity of 1000–1650 MWe; the government is also preparing for potential SMR deployment. The Rolls-Royce SMR is a 470 MWe pressurized water small modular reactor designed for baseload operation for at least 60 years, with approximately 90% factory prefabrication; on-site work mainly involves assembly of prefabricated and pre-tested modules, significantly reducing project risk and potentially substantially shortening construction schedules.