EDF to use proven technologies in designing its modular reactor

French energy company EDF, which is among the bidders to build a new nuclear unit in Czechia, is also developing its own small modular reactor (SMR). This week, the company announced that it would use existing, proven technologies in designing its SMR rather than developing new ones. Using proven technologies could not only boost investor confidence but also speed up reactor development and lower production costs.

In recent years, a number of companies around the world, including in Europe, have embarked on developing small modular reactors. One of them is the Nuward modular reactor design, developed by Nuward, a subsidiary of French state-owned EDF. The reactor design was unveiled in autumn 2019, and development is ongoing.

Earlier this week, EDF said according to Reuters that it would refocus development on using existing technologies. The company had previously planned to develop new, innovative solutions. According to a Nuward source, the decision followed talks with prospective customers, including ČEZ, Vattenfall and Fortum.

According to the Reuters source, they need assurance that future costs will not significantly exceed estimates and that expected deadlines will be met. The source also said investors tend to be more willing to invest in plants based on proven technologies, which are expected to ensure levelized costs of 70 to 100 EUR/MWh.

EDF said, according to Reuters, that Nuward had reached the preliminary design stage, at which development teams were able to study the entire reactor model in detail. The company will now continue developing the reactor design.

"The refocusing involves developing a design built exclusively from proven technological components. It will improve the prospects for success by making technical feasibility easier to achieve," the company’s spokesperson said.

The Nuward modular reactor could also be built in Poland

The construction of nuclear power plants, including modular reactors, has recently become a topic of discussion not only in Czechia but also in other European countries. Poland is also interested in the Nuward reactor: last year, Polish renewable energy trader Respect Energy signed a cooperation agreement with EDF on developing nuclear energy projects. The agreement also includes analyses of the Nuward SMR project.