The France-based Newcleo Group has submitted its lead-cooled fast reactor, the LFR-AS-200, to the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process under the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). This process, managed by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA), assesses the safety, security, and environmental compliance of nuclear technologies intended for deployment in the UK.
Objectives of the Assessment
The Generic Design Assessment is a mandatory framework for any new nuclear technology proposed in the UK. The process consists of two phases and is expected to take approximately two years, starting in 2025. Upon completion, it will result in two key certifications: a design confirmation from the ONR and a design acceptability statement from the EA.
Newcleo’s Expansion Strategy
Newcleo plans to implement its first 30 MWe reactor in France by 2030, followed by a commercial 200 MWe unit in the UK by 2033. This ambition is supported by the planned construction of a plant dedicated to producing mixed uranium/plutonium oxide (MOX) to fuel its reactors, with feasibility studies conducted by the French group Orano.
A Competitive Position in the Nuclear Sector
Newcleo’s application marks a first for advanced modular reactors. The company is now the only developer to simultaneously submit applications for the GDA process and for a regulatory justification decision in the UK. This initiative is part of a broader strategy, as Newcleo has also been selected to participate in European projects under the European Industrial Alliance for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Context and Outlook
The UK, in its nuclear strategy, opened the GDA process to advanced technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), in 2021. Several companies, such as Rolls-Royce, GE Hitachi, and Holtec International, are currently undergoing similar evaluations with their reactor designs.
Newcleo’s submission reflects its intention to secure a prominent position in the UK market, further solidifying its role as a leading developer of cutting-edge nuclear technologies.
