GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH – part of GE Vernova) has selected Canada-based Worley Chemetics to design and fabricate the isolation condenser system for the BWRX-300 small modular reactor, (SMR). Worley Chemetics has a fabrication facility in Pickering, Ontario.
“The isolation condenser system is a key passive safety feature of the BWRX-300 design and we look forward to collaborating with Worley Chemetics on a manufacturing design that will deliver outstanding safety, quality and performance,” said Sean Sexstone, GEH Executive Vice President, Advanced Nuclear. “This collaboration aims to strengthen Ontario’s nuclear supply chain and bring economic benefits to the region.”
Andrew Barr, President, Worley Chemetics said the partnership builds on a 60-year legacy of delivering “sustainable process technologies, our recently acquired ASME nuclear certification and our newly expanded specialised alloy fabrication facility in Ontario”.
Worley Chemetics has also joined the BWRX-300 qualified supplier group which was established to help ensure a reliable, cost effective and innovative process for manufacturing and commercialisation of the BWRX-300. Suppliers who meet pre-defined criteria, customer requirements and demonstrate a willingness to invest in BWRX-300 supply chain capabilities are eligible for selection to the group.
The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of Ge Hitachi’s (GEH’s) ESBWR, which has US Nuclear Regulatory Commission certification. As a result of design simplification, GEH claims the BWRX-300 will require significantly less capital cost per MW compared with other SMR designs. GEH says the BWRX-300 is being designed to reduce construction and operating costs below other nuclear power generation technologies. It will leverage a combination of existing fuel, plant simplifications, proven components as well as a design based on an already licensed reactor
Ontario Power Generation (OPG), GEH, AtkinsRéalis and Aecon Construction Group have entered into a contract to construct the first BWRX-300 at OPG’s Darlington site. Early site preparation work has been completed with construction expected to start in 2025 with commercial operation to begin by the end of 2029. A total of four 300 MW units are planned for the Darlington site.
