The British Conservative Party, trailing the opposition Labour Party in polls as the country prepares for a general election on 4 July, has promised to approve two new fleets of small modular reactors within 100 days of the next parliament, if it is re-elected.

In its manifesto released on 11 June, the party said it will also deliver a new gigawatt nuclear power station at Wylfa in North Wales and work with industry to deliver existing projects at Hinkley Point and Sizewell C.

The manifesto gave no details on the SMR plans or how many units would be in each “fleet”.

It said a Conservative government under prime minister Rishii Sunak would scale up nuclear power creating well-paid, high-skilled jobs and delivering cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy.