McDermott and ULC-Energy Partner to Advance Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor Projects in the Netherlands

## McDermott and ULC-Energy Partner to Advance Rolls-Royce SMR Projects Engineering and construction giant McDermott and Amsterdam-based ULC-Energy have signed a formal cooperation agreement to jointly support the development of Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects in the Netherlands, according to a press release issued via PR Newswire on 29 July 2026. The agreement marks a significant step in the commercialisation of Rolls-Royce's SMR technology in continental Europe, with the Netherlands emerging as a key early-mover market for the next-generation nuclear technology. While financial terms of the cooperation were not disclosed, the partnership is structured to leverage McDermott's extensive engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) expertise alongside ULC-Energy's project development capabilities in the Dutch energy market. ### Strategic Significance for the Energy Sector Small Modular Reactors have attracted considerable attention from energy planners and industrial operators seeking low-carbon baseload power alternatives. The Rolls-Royce SMR design, which targets an output of approximately 470 megawatts per unit, is positioned as a scalable solution for both grid power and potential industrial applications — including energy-intensive maritime and port operations. For the maritime and offshore sectors, the advancement of SMR technology carries longer-term implications. Shore-based SMR installations could provide stable, low-carbon power to major port hubs, supporting electrification of port operations and the production of green hydrogen and ammonia — fuels increasingly targeted by the shipping industry to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) decarbonisation targets. ### McDermott's Role Houston-headquartered McDermott brings deep experience in complex energy infrastructure projects, including offshore oil and gas facilities and LNG terminals. The company's involvement signals that SMR projects are beginning to attract the same calibre of EPC contractors traditionally associated with large-scale energy infrastructure. ULC-Energy, based in Amsterdam, has been active in positioning the Netherlands as a receptive environment for SMR development, engaging with Dutch regulators and energy policymakers as the country reassesses its nuclear energy strategy following years of limited investment in the sector. ### Broader Context The Netherlands has signalled renewed interest in nuclear power as part of its long-term energy transition strategy, with the Dutch government previously announcing plans to facilitate the construction of new nuclear capacity. The McDermott-ULC-Energy agreement adds further commercial weight to those ambitions. As the maritime industry accelerates its search for scalable clean energy solutions — both at sea and in port — developments in SMR deployment will be closely watched by shipowners, port authorities, and fuel producers alike.