SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Newcleo submits its advanced modular reactor for UK evaluation

The Newcleo Group has filed an application with UK authorities for the evaluation of its lead-cooled fast modular reactor, aiming to penetrate the UK nuclear market.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

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.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Bangladesh finalises memorandum with Aramco for LNG supply deals
R.Power sells 440MW solar portfolio in Poland amid uncertainties
ReconAfrica advances drilling of Kavango West 1X well in Namibia
Ascent Solar and Star Catcher combine technologies for space-based solar energy
Natura Resources secures federal and Texas backing for molten salt reactor
EDF extends two nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom until March 2028
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Rosatom prepares new nuclear projects in India and Turkey
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
Uranium traces detected in Syria at site linked to former Israeli airstrike
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.
Norway launches assessment process for two nuclear projects
Norwegian authorities begin the first regulatory phase for two modular nuclear reactor projects, marking a strategic step in the national review of the potential role of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix.
India accelerates its nuclear program to join the global top 5
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
Paris and Berlin agree on an energy roadmap including nuclear power
France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.
Putin and Pezeshkian to discuss Iranian nuclear program under European pressure
Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
Seoul and Washington open talks on nuclear fuel reprocessing
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
AP1000 reactor certification extended in the US until 2046
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.
Nano Nuclear partners with Dioxitek to strengthen Argentina’s nuclear supply chain
Nano Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dioxitek, Argentina’s only uranium supplier for nuclear fuel, to assess the development of local conversion and enrichment capacities.
Sweden lifts uranium mining ban to revive nuclear industry
Stockholm plans to restart uranium extraction by lifting the 2018 ban, aiming to secure strategic supply chains and support domestic nuclear electricity production.
CEA considers deploying a small Calogena nuclear reactor in Cadarache
The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
Guidehouse forecasts $8.1 billion revenues for modular reactors by 2034
A Guidehouse Research report anticipates strong growth in the global nuclear modular reactor market, with revenues rising from $375.8 million in 2025 to $8.1 billion in 2034.
Several South Korean groups back $50bn nuclear projects in the United States
KHNP, Doosan, POSCO and Samsung C&T join US partners to develop 5 GW of modular reactors, expand uranium enrichment and build an 11 GW energy complex in Texas.
Washington activates Defense Production Act to secure enriched uranium
The US Department of Energy is creating an industrial consortium to accelerate domestic enriched uranium production and reduce reliance on foreign imports ahead of the Russian supply ban in 2027.
One of the drones from last weekend’s Ukrainian attack struck the Kursk nuclear power plant
The kamikaze drone damaged an auxiliary transformer at the Kursk plant, halving the output of its only reactor in operation, according to Rosatom and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
EDF restarts Gravelines reactors after shutdown caused by jellyfish
The four production units at the Gravelines nuclear power plant, shut down in mid-August by a massive jellyfish incursion, are back online, restoring the site’s full capacity.
enCore Energy completes $115M convertible notes offering
enCore Energy Corp. has completed a $115 million fundraising through convertible notes maturing in 2030, strengthening its financial capacity for upcoming operations.
Vattenfall selects GE Vernova and Rolls-Royce for future nuclear reactors
Vattenfall advances its nuclear project in Sweden by selecting two modular reactor suppliers, GE Vernova and Rolls-Royce SMR, for a potential installation on the Värö Peninsula.
NANO Nuclear Advances to Final Round of US Army’s xTechSearch 9 Competition
NANO Nuclear Energy has been selected to compete in the final round of xTechSearch 9, a US Army initiative aimed at identifying high-potential dual-use technology solutions.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.

SUBSCRIBE - €99