Newcleo enters UK nuclear assessment with lead-cooled modular reactor

The UK regulator has accepted to examine Newcleo’s advanced LFR-AS-200 reactor, marking a first for a modular lead-cooled technology in the country.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Franco-Italian group Newcleo announced that its advanced modular LFR-AS-200 reactor, cooled with lead, has been officially accepted to begin the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process in the United Kingdom. This decision marks a significant regulatory milestone for Newcleo’s British project, which aims to commercially deploy this technology in the UK.

A first for an advanced modular reactor

The GDA is a voluntary procedure overseen by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency (EA), and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), designed to assess the safety, security, and environmental compliance of proposed nuclear reactor designs in the United Kingdom. In May 2021, the UK government expanded the GDA scope to include advanced nuclear technologies, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Newcleo submitted an application to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in December for its LFR-AS-200 reactor to enter the process. It is the first time an Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) has been accepted for such an assessment, which will include two validation stages by the ONR and the EA.

Commercial deployment targeted in the UK

The company stated that the LFR-AS-200 design is under development for commercial deployment and that several potential sites are currently being assessed in the UK. Newcleo also noted that this acceptance follows a Regulatory Justification request submitted in April 2024, the first such application for a new reactor in nearly a decade.

According to Newcleo’s delivery schedule, a non-nuclear prototype is expected to be operational in Italy by 2026, with a first reactor in service in France by 2031. A final investment decision for a commercial power plant is targeted around 2029.

Competition among modular reactor technologies

The GDA has already been applied to several technologies, including EDF/Areva’s UK EPR, Westinghouse’s AP1000, Hitachi-GE’s UK ABWR, and the UK HPR1000 led by CGN/EDF/GNI. Other projects currently under review include Rolls-Royce’s SMR, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300, Holtec International’s SMR-300, and since August 2024, Westinghouse’s AP300.

This development positions Newcleo in the race for next-generation nuclear technologies in the UK, at a time when London is increasing initiatives to diversify its nuclear fleet and attract private investment.

Endesa, Iberdrola and Naturgy have officially requested the Spanish government to delay the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for 2028, reigniting the debate on nuclear power's role in the national energy mix.
The reactor vessel for Unit 1 at Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear plant has been delivered following a 20-day maritime transport from Saint Petersburg, marking a critical milestone in the country’s energy project.
Ontario Power Generation secures CAD3bn ($2.1bn) in public equity financing to construct four modular reactors at Darlington, aiming to ease private sector entry into next-generation nuclear infrastructure.
French developer Newcleo launches a joint venture with Nextchem through a EUR70 mn contract to design the conventional island of its upcoming 200 MW modular nuclear reactors.
NANO Nuclear strengthens its North American strategy by acquiring Global First Power in Canada, securing regulatory rights for its KRONOS MMR™ project at Chalk River.
South Korea becomes the first country to submit a safeguards technical report to the IAEA for a small modular reactor, setting a precedent for early integration of non-proliferation requirements in nuclear design.
The Environmental Authority criticises the lack of key data on health risks, chemical discharges and construction safety for EDF's two upcoming EPR2 reactors in Seine-Maritime.
Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.
US-based developer Last Energy will deploy its first domestic microreactor at Texas A&M-RELLIS, marking a strategic step in the advanced modular reactor race.
PGE acquires ZE PAK's stake in the joint venture responsible for developing Poland’s second nuclear site, consolidating a strategic asset within its energy portfolio.
Amazon unveils new visuals of its upcoming nuclear site, marking a key step in its partnership with X-energy to deploy up to 960 MW of modular nuclear capacity in Washington state.
Canadian uranium producer NexGen Energy has completed a A$1bn ($639mn) equity raise split between North American and Australian markets to support the development of its Rook I project.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is examining the permanent closure of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the oldest at the site, while continuing efforts to restart unit 6.
The formal expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran comes as international sanctions have already been reinstated and diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Oklo, newcleo and Blykalla partner to develop advanced nuclear fuel infrastructure in the United States, backed by a planned $2bn investment.
enCore Energy has identified three new uranium roll fronts at its Alta Mesa project, with ongoing drilling aimed at defining their extent and accelerating development work.
California-based Radiant will build its first microreactor production facility in Oak Ridge, on a former Manhattan Project site, with production targeted at 50 units per year by 2028.
EDF restarted the Flamanville EPR reactor after repairing non-compliant valves, delaying the target of reaching full power output of 1,620 MW until the end of autumn.
Nano Nuclear and the University of Illinois will begin drilling operations for the KRONOS MMR™ reactor on October 24, marking a key step toward commercialisation of the nuclear project on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
Natura Resources is finalising construction of the MSR-1, an advanced liquid-fuel nuclear reactor, with a planned launch in 2026 on the Abilene Christian University campus.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.