UK SMR competition: Six companies advance to next round

EDF, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC, Holtec Britain Limited, NuScale Power, Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse Electric Company UK Limited have been invited to submit bids to the UK government to build small modular reactors (SMRs). Contracts are expected to be signed in summer 2024.

The UK government plans to increase installed nuclear power capacity to 24 GW by 2050. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are expected to be a key part of this strategy. The government and the newly established Great British Nuclear (GBN), which was set up to support the expansion of this capacity, launched a competition for SMR technology this year.

Selection of SMR technology

There are more than 70 different SMR designs worldwide, at various stages of development. It is not known how many entered the competition evaluated by GBN. The criterion was the “best ability to have SMRs operational by the mid-2030s”. The aim is to reach a final investment decision in 2029.

The next stage of the competition will begin as soon as possible, with the successful companies given the opportunity to submit bids to the UK government. The government plans to announce in spring 2024 which of the six companies will receive support. Contracts are expected to be signed by summer 2024. The timeline aims to make this the fastest competition of its kind in the world.

SMR progress through the approval process

NuScale VOYGR SMR is currently the only reactor to have received certification from the US regulator (NRC). The technology is currently being considered in more than 10 countries around the world.

The Holtec 160 MWe SMR is a pressurised water reactor that uses low-enriched uranium fuel. The design has successfully completed the first phase of a three-phase pre-licensing design review by the Canadian regulator (CNSC) and is currently undergoing pre-licensing activities with the US NRC. Holtec has also requested a generic design assessment of the SMR-160 in the UK. Ukraine is among the countries considering its use. An agreement on cooperation was signed there this year, with the target date for energy supply set for March 2029. In the long term, up to 20 of these SMRs could be built in the country.

EDF is currently building the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in the UK, the country’s first new nuclear power plant in decades. The company also plans to build an “identical” plant at the Sizewell C site, where a final investment decision is pending.

EDF says construction of its Nuward SMR will take 40 months and plans to pour the first concrete for the first reactor in 2030. EDF has begun pre-licensing in France and, together with regulators in France, the Czech Republic and Finland, has conducted an early assessment of its design.

“Small modular reactors will help Britain rapidly expand nuclear power and deliver cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy to British households and businesses, create well-paid jobs and strengthen the economy. This competition attracted designs from around the world and put Britain at the forefront of the global race to develop this groundbreaking technology, cementing its position as a world leader in nuclear innovation,” said Claire Coutinho, the UK’s Energy Security Minister.

Company reactions and state support

The selected companies naturally expressed their enthusiasm. Representatives of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse Electric Company expressed confidence in their SMR technologies and their contribution to the UK’s energy security and the decarbonisation of its economy.

NuScale, Holtec and EDF presented their SMR technologies and highlighted their progress in the international licensing process.

Great British Nuclear expects “up to four” SMR technologies to be selected for support from the final investment decision through construction and operation. Support should include “funding for technology development, a specific project at a selected site, a close partnership with Great British Nuclear and assistance in securing land.”