popular articles

SMR: The UK Enters Crucial Negotiations with Four Key Players

Great British Nuclear evaluates technologies from GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse to select the modular reactors that will shape the country’s energy future.

Please share:

Negotiations for the UK’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program have officially begun. The four finalists in the running are GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse. These discussions mark a decisive step in selecting a technology to strengthen the UK’s energy capacity while meeting safety and sustainability requirements.

Great British Nuclear (GBN), the organization overseeing this program, announced that each proposed project has undergone a thorough analysis. This evaluation considered criteria such as safety, feasibility, and rapid deployment potential. Simon Bowen, chairman of GBN, stated: “Our technical experts have reviewed each design in detail and are confident that these SMRs could play a key role in the UK’s future energy mix.”

The Competing Technologies

The proposed designs include:

– BWRX-300 from GE Hitachi: A boiling water reactor based on proven technologies.
– SMR-300 from Holtec: A 300 MWe pressurized water reactor designed for modular production.
– Rolls-Royce SMR: A 470 MWe pressurized water reactor offering higher energy capacity.
– AP300 from Westinghouse: A 300 MWe/900 MWth pressurized water reactor.

Each design emphasizes pre-existing technologies and modularity to reduce construction times and costs.

A Strategic Timeline

Initially scheduled for the end of 2024, the technology selection has been postponed to spring 2025. GBN plans to sign contracts with one to three suppliers to co-finance the projects through regulatory, environmental, and site-specific authorizations. Final investments are expected to be decided by 2029, enabling a swift rollout of the selected SMRs.

Although there has been a change in government, current leaders have committed to continuing the program, underscoring its strategic importance in addressing long-term energy and climate challenges.

A Key Project for the UK’s Energy Mix

This program aligns with the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy, where SMRs could provide a complementary energy source to wind and solar. With sites capable of hosting multiple units, these reactors could bolster the UK’s energy resilience, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and support its net-zero carbon goals.

GBN affirmed that each competing technology is considered viable and could be integrated into the national nuclear program, provided that negotiations lead to favorable terms for the country.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Enel, Leonardo, and Ansaldo Nucleare join forces to study small modular reactors, marking a potential turning point for nuclear energy in Italy after decades of withdrawal.
Orano temporarily suspends uranium extraction activities in Niger
Orano temporarily suspends uranium extraction activities in Niger
Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, visits Iran to inspect the Fordo and Natanz sites. This visit comes as Tehran seeks to dispel doubts about its nuclear ambitions.
Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, visits Iran to inspect the Fordo and Natanz sites. This visit comes as Tehran seeks to dispel doubts about its nuclear ambitions.
At COP29, six countries joined an ambitious declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, bringing the number of signatories to 31, backed by major financial institutions.
At COP29, six countries joined an ambitious declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, bringing the number of signatories to 31, backed by major financial institutions.
EDF projects a strategic decision for its first six EPR reactors in 2026, with sites for eight additional ones to be determined the same year, as part of France's energy strategy.
Vietnam plans to reactivate its nuclear program, halted in 2016, to support rapid industrialization and meet increasing energy demands while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vietnam plans to reactivate its nuclear program, halted in 2016, to support rapid industrialization and meet increasing energy demands while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
At COP29, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizes the inclusion of nuclear energy in climate financing, while targeting a regulated access approach for developing countries.
At COP29, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizes the inclusion of nuclear energy in climate financing, while targeting a regulated access approach for developing countries.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visits Iran to revive inspections and seek a diplomatic resolution on Iran's nuclear program amid growing international tensions.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visits Iran to revive inspections and seek a diplomatic resolution on Iran's nuclear program amid growing international tensions.
Niger opens its doors to Russian companies for the exploration of its natural wealth, marking a strategic shift as tensions persist with French companies, particularly over uranium.
Framatome opens offices in Milan and Turin, marking a new step in Franco-Italian cooperation for the development of nuclear energy in Europe.
Framatome opens offices in Milan and Turin, marking a new step in Franco-Italian cooperation for the development of nuclear energy in Europe.
Poland strengthens its nuclear cooperation with Japan and the Netherlands, enhancing its capacity for its energy transition program.
Poland strengthens its nuclear cooperation with Japan and the Netherlands, enhancing its capacity for its energy transition program.
A sample of radioactive debris from the Fukushima power plant has been secretly transported to a laboratory near Tokyo. This crucial step is part of the lengthy decommissioning process, which is expected to take several more decades.
A sample of radioactive debris from the Fukushima power plant has been secretly transported to a laboratory near Tokyo. This crucial step is part of the lengthy decommissioning process, which is expected to take several more decades.
EDF hopes to finalize new long-term electricity contracts with energy-intensive industries by the end of the year, despite criticism over high electricity prices, which threaten their competitiveness.
EDF challenges Czech decision on nuclear contract awarded to KHNP
EDF challenges Czech decision on nuclear contract awarded to KHNP
Rwanda relies on Russia to train its nuclear energy specialists
Rwanda relies on Russia to train its nuclear energy specialists
Despite extreme weather conditions this summer, offline nuclear capacity in the United States decreased by 16% compared to 2023, thanks to a reduction in unplanned outages, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Despite extreme weather conditions this summer, offline nuclear capacity in the United States decreased by 16% compared to 2023, thanks to a reduction in unplanned outages, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The startup Calogena has taken a crucial step forward in its low-power nuclear boiler project for urban heating, submitting an application for approval to the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).
For the first time since 2011, a sample of radioactive debris was extracted from the damaged reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. This breakthrough paves the way for new analyses essential to the decommissioning process.
For the first time since 2011, a sample of radioactive debris was extracted from the damaged reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. This breakthrough paves the way for new analyses essential to the decommissioning process.
During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Paris, Emmanuel Macron strengthened the strategic partnership between France and Kazakhstan, offering French expertise to support the development of civilian nuclear energy in Kazakhstan.
During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Paris, Emmanuel Macron strengthened the strategic partnership between France and Kazakhstan, offering French expertise to support the development of civilian nuclear energy in Kazakhstan.
The Nigerien junta criticizes Orano's suspension of activities, claiming the decision harms stakeholder commitments and lacks transparency, according to a document from the state-owned company Sopamin.
The Nigerien junta criticizes Orano's suspension of activities, claiming the decision harms stakeholder commitments and lacks transparency, according to a document from the state-owned company Sopamin.
GE Vernova partners with Worley Chemetics to manufacture a key component of the BWRX-300 modular reactor, aiming to enhance safety and stimulate Ontario's nuclear economy.
U.S. Investigation on Chinese Enriched Uranium Imports Intensifies
U.S. Investigation on Chinese Enriched Uranium Imports Intensifies
Nearly thirteen years after the Fukushima disaster, Japan resumes operations at a nuclear reactor in the northeast, reinforced to withstand tsunamis, as the country accelerates its energy transition.
Nearly thirteen years after the Fukushima disaster, Japan resumes operations at a nuclear reactor in the northeast, reinforced to withstand tsunamis, as the country accelerates its energy transition.
CEZ acquires a 20% stake in Rolls-Royce SMR to build small nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, aiming for stable and low-carbon energy.
CEZ acquires a 20% stake in Rolls-Royce SMR to build small nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, aiming for stable and low-carbon energy.

Advertising