Construction giant, Kier, is to work on proposals to build small modular reactors (SMR).

The company behind key Gloucestershire projects including The Forum and the A417 Missing Link has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two nuclear specialists.

The deal with X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear will see Kier look into opportunities to deploy Xe-100 Generation IV Advanced Reactors around the UK.

Two sites earmarked as potential hosts for SMRs are Oldbury and Berkeley in Gloucestershire. 

The two nuclear companies were awarded funding from the government's Future Nuclear Enabling Fund. The grand of £3.34m will be matched by X-energy, taking the total funding to £6.68m.

Under the terms of the MoU, Kier will carry out a constructability assessment for the Xe-100 in the UK, using information from studies in the US and Canada.

Carol Tansley vice president, UK New Build Projects at X-energy, said: "Kier is a leading player in construction and infrastructure in the UK. They are ideally placed to help us understand how best to capitalise on the work done in North America, including our first project which is already underway in Texas, and translate that into success in the UK market. We intend to deliver a high quality project to cost, schedule, but also to bring benefits to the UK workforce and supply chain, starting at Hartlepool on Teesside."

The high-temperature, gas-cooled Xe-100 reactor is made from a large number of prefabricated elements, allowing for a reduced construction time of just three or four years.

Andrew Bradshaw, group managing director for Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks, said: "Kier's purpose is to sustainably deliver infrastructure which is vital to the UK. We have a strong track record of constructing and upgrading nuclear facilities and are committed to using our expertise to enable safe, sustainable and efficient construction while leaving lasting legacies through our work.

"We're delighted to be working alongside X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear to develop the UK fleet of reactors which will be vital in supporting the growth of the clean energy market."