popular articles

NuScale receives US approval for 77 MWe modular reactor design

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the uprated version of NuScale’s small modular reactor, paving the way for commercial deployment of compact nuclear projects in the United States.

Please share:

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the standard design for NuScale Power’s small modular reactor (SMR), in its 77 megawatt electric (MWe) version. This decision marks a key regulatory milestone for NuScale, which had previously received approval in 2023 for an earlier 50 MWe design.

Regulator completes review ahead of schedule and under budget

According to the NRC’s announcement on May 30, the final technical evaluation was completed “ahead of schedule and under budget,” demonstrating the agency’s capacity to process advanced nuclear technologies efficiently. The approved design applies to a configuration of six modules, each generating 77 MWe, submitted by NuScale in January 2023. The application was accepted for review in July of the same year.

A standard design approval confirms that the proposed reactor design meets current safety requirements. However, companies planning to build and operate a plant using this model will still be required to submit separate applications to the NRC for each specific project.

Design upgrades meet growing power demands

NuScale stated that the uprated version retains the same passive safety features previously approved by the NRC, while incorporating targeted modifications to meet increasing capacity needs. The 77 MWe design now stands as the company’s technical reference for future commercial deployments.

The approval also strengthens the position of ENTRA1 Energy, the independent platform for nuclear power plant development using NuScale’s technology. ENTRA1 holds exclusive global rights for the commercialisation, distribution, and deployment of NuScale’s SMRs, and is now able to expand its client base across industrial sectors.

Key regulatory step for NuScale and ENTRA1

NuScale’s President and Chief Executive Officer John Hopkins described the approval as a “historic step” for the company and the industry. He added that the NRC’s recognised safety standards allow progress towards delivering safe and reliable energy to a diverse customer base.

Approval of the 77 MWe design comes at a time when the US SMR market is taking shape around the need for scalable and quicker-to-deploy solutions. While no SMR project is yet operational, interest in this segment remains high amid broader efforts to diversify electricity generation sources.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

France: the Cour des comptes urges action on the management of 280,000 m³ of nuclear waste

The Cour des comptes is calling on the French government to speed up efforts to locate storage sites for over 280,000 m³ of long-lived radioactive waste, which currently lacks an operational solution.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
The French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee mistakenly rejects a crucial article on France's nuclear strategy, causing significant parliamentary confusion and casting doubt on the country’s energy targets.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Czech court authorizes major $18 billion nuclear project, allowing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to proceed with the construction of a controversial power plant despite legal challenges.
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.
Italy’s Ansaldo Energia signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency to cooperate on advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on small modular reactors.

South Korea begins site evaluation for Uganda’s first nuclear reactor

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed a 26-month contract to assess a site in Uganda’s Buyende region for its first nuclear reactor, in compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
EDF is challenging the legality of the nuclear contract awarded to KHNP, citing potential South Korean state support in violation of EU rules, leading to a temporary suspension of the Dukovany II project.
Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.
Canadian company enCore Energy has received regulatory approval to extend its radioactive materials licence to the Upper Spring Creek project, initiating the construction of new ISR facilities near its Rosita site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.
The International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, which could lead to a non-compliance resolution by mid-June.

EDF invests in a nuclear plant at Cordemais after coal phase-out

EDF plans a new nuclear pipework factory at Cordemais by 2028, confirming the end of coal-fired power in France and the site's industrial conversion.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
Uranium Royalty Corp. invests CAD1mn ($730,000) in a 2% royalty on Forum Energy Metals’ Aberdeen project, located near one of the world’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.
NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.
Nano Nuclear Energy announced a $105mn fundraising from institutional investors, bringing its total cash position above $200mn to accelerate its small-scale nuclear reactor projects.

South Korea Strongly Challenges Czech Nuclear Contract Suspension with KHNP

The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.

European Nuclear: Germany Opens Up to France’s Energy Choices

The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Tennessee Valley Authority becomes the first US public utility to apply for a permit to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with site works anticipated as early as 2026 at Clinch River.
Tennessee Valley Authority becomes the first US public utility to apply for a permit to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with site works anticipated as early as 2026 at Clinch River.
India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.
India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.

Westinghouse strengthens Bulgarian supply chain for Kozloduy

Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.
Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.
Energy group Enel partners with Ansaldo and Leonardo to form Nuclitalia, a joint venture focused on developing small modular reactor technologies as Italy considers a return to civilian nuclear power.
Energy group Enel partners with Ansaldo and Leonardo to form Nuclitalia, a joint venture focused on developing small modular reactor technologies as Italy considers a return to civilian nuclear power.

Advertising