Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has stated it does not hold a detailed breakdown of the £20bn initial budget estimate for the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Technology Partner (TP) Contract.

The TP Contract was initially structured to include up to four awards split into two stages, but GBE-N has decided to award only one contract to Rolls-Royce SMR.The first stage of this award is valued at £3.5bn, with the second stage projected at £16.5bn.Despite a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for transparency, GBE-N has refused to provide the full budget breakdown, citing internal processes.The organization’s refusal has prompted criticism, as stakeholders argue the lack of transparency could hinder public accountability.The SMR project, part of the UK’s net-zero strategy, faces scrutiny over its financial planning and potential cost overruns.Analysts warn that without clear budget details, investors and policymakers may struggle to assess the project’s viability.

The controversy highlights broader challenges in managing large-scale energy infrastructure initiatives, where financial transparency is critical to maintaining public trust.