EDF withdraws from competition for British small modular reactors

While the other participating companies submitted their proposals to build a small modular reactor (SMR), EDF decided to withdraw its Nuward design from the Great British Nuclear (GBN) competition. In June, the deadline for bids was extended by two weeks.

The new deadline, 8 July, fell four days after the British election, which brought a change of government from Conservative to Labour. The deadline was reportedly extended at the request of one of the bidders, not because of the election.

Reasons for EDF’s withdrawal

An EDF spokesperson told World Nuclear News that the company had decided to withdraw because of a mismatch between the level of commitment required and the timetable set out in GBN’s terms, given the current maturity of Nuward SMR technology.



This decision comes just days after EDF announced plans to further optimise the design of its Nuward SMR, which is based on existing, proven technology. The decision was made in response to feedback from potential European customers, to ensure projects meet their deadlines and budgets. EDF did not say whether the reactor redesign would affect the budget or timeline for the Nuward project.

Bids from other companies

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH)

GEH announced that it had submitted its bid, including documentation on its BWRX-300 SMR technology. Andy Champ, GEH’s UK lead, said the BWRX-300 was an evolution of simple boiling water reactor technology, which was not only smaller but also simpler thanks to innovations. He said GEH had a strong team in the UK and believed its SMR offered the lowest investment risk and the greatest added value.

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce SMR announced on LinkedIn that it had also submitted a bid. The company said GBN’s selection before the end of the year would unlock investment in the supply chain, create jobs and open up major export opportunities.

Holtec

Holtec announced on LinkedIn that it had submitted its bid, backed by collaboration with partners such as Hyundai Engineering & Construction. The company stressed the importance of deploying SMR-300s together to ensure the UK’s energy security.

NuScale

NuScale announced on LinkedIn that it had submitted a bid for its VOYGR SMR. It stressed that its SMR technology was the only one to have completed the research and development phase, received regulatory approval and already begun manufacturing.

Study of a VOYGR nuclear power plant based on NuScale SMR technology

Westinghouse

Westinghouse submitted an application for approval of its AP300 SMR to the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The AP300 is an evolution of its advanced AP1000 reactor, which is operating in China and the United States and is licensed in the UK. Westinghouse says the AP300 is an ideal partner for achieving GBN and the UK government’s energy security and clean energy goals.

UK SMR selection and change of government

In an interview on the World Nuclear News podcast, GBN chairman Simon Bowen said that, following the submission of bids, the aim was to select four leading candidates and sign contracts with two or three technology providers by the end of the year. Each selected technology will be allocated a site with the potential to build multiple SMR units. The final investment decision is expected to be approved in 2029.

Source: Westinghouse Electric Company

It is not yet clear how the change of government will affect the selection process. The incoming Labour government supports nuclear power and said in its manifesto that it would end a decade of Conservative hesitation over nuclear energy. Labour also plans to extend the life of existing power plants, complete Hinkley Point C and support new nuclear power plants such as Sizewell C and SMRs to achieve energy security and clean energy.

UK nuclear energy targets

The UK aims to increase the country’s installed nuclear capacity to 24 GW by 2050, through a combination of traditional large power plants and SMRs.

Last year, Great British Nuclear (GBN), which was established to deliver this goal, launched a competition for SMR technology. EDF, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), Holtec, NuScale Power, Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse were invited to bid for government contracts in October 2023.