Great British Nuclear (GBN) has concluded the initial tender phase of the technology selection process for its small modular reactor (SMR) competition. The down-selected companies are GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy International, Holtec Britain, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse Electric Company UK.
The UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) and GBN shortlisted six firms in October 2023. The winner of the competition will receive government backing to deploy a fleet of SMRs in the UK. The two companies dropped from the competition are EDF, which withdrew its Nuward SMR in July, when it decided not to submit a bid by the required deadline, and US NuScale, which has been facing financial problems.
EDF’s withdrawal came after the company decided to focus on existing technologies for the design of its SMRs instead of continuing with Nuward. NuScale in November 2023 faced problems when its $1.4bn project to build a plant for a Utah power provider was cancelled amid spiralling costs. However, a spokesman for NuScale said the company had been told it did not meet the criteria for the SMR competition as it had already begun production of its reactors and did not need support getting to market.
The SMR competition is part of the government’s plan to revive nuclear power and for the UK to lead the global race to develop cutting-edge technologies. The government aims for up to a quarter of all UK electricity to come from nuclear power by 2050.
In July 2023, GBN issued a Contract Notice setting out an intention to enter into a two Stage contract for design, development and construction contract with successful bidders. Interested parties were required to respond to a selection questionnaire. This concluded in August 2023 and the following October GBN down-selected six technologies, who would be eligible to bid into the next phase of the procurement.
The four remaining technologies are the Rolls-Royce SMR, GE-Hitachi’s BWRX-300, the Westinghouse AP300 SMR and Holtec’s SMR-160.
The 470 MWe Rolls-Royce SMR design is based on a small pressurised water reactor. The design was accepted for UK Generic Design Assessment review in March 2022 and completed State 2 in July 2024. A Rolls-Royce-led UK SMR consortium aims to build 16 SMRs. The consortium – which includes Assystem, Atkins, BAM Nuttall, Jacobs, Laing O’Rourke, National Nuclear Laboratory, the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and TWI – expects to complete its first unit in the early 2030s and build up to 10 by 2035.
Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce SMR CEO, said “Rolls-Royce SMR is the UK’s only SMR company and is already 18 months ahead of competitors in the regulatory approvals process. Today’s news that we will progress to formal negotiation with GBN will help us to maintain this important first-mover advantage.”
GE-Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR features an innovative and simplified configuration, resulting in less concrete and steel needed for construction. GE-Hitachi says it can be deployed for electricity generation and industrial applications, including hydrogen production, desalination, and district heating. Using modular and open-top construction techniques means the BWRX-300 can be constructed in 24-36 months with an approximate 90% volume reduction in plant layout. Andy Champ, GEH UK Country Leader, said: “We have big ambitions for deploying our SMR technology in the UK, so we are proud to advance to the next stage of GBN’s competition. With site works already underway in Canada for our first BWRX-300 – the most advanced SMR project in the G7 – we are in a strong position to lead SMR deployment in the UK by leveraging our expertise in other markets.”
Westinghouse says its AP300 SMR launched in 2023 is “the only SMR based on an advanced, large Generation III+ reactor already in operation globally”, the AP1000 technology. It “utilises the AP1000 engineering, components and supply chain, enabling streamlined licensing and leveraging available technical skills”. These factors “provide confidence that the first operating unit will be available in the early 2030s”. said Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President and CEO said “We are pleased that GBN recognises the advantages of the AP300 SMR design, which is based on an operating reactor that is already licensed in the UK. With proven technologies and regulator familiarity, the AP300 can get to market quickly, economically and with certainty.”
Holtec’s SMR-160 advanced SMR is a pressurised light-water reactor, generating 160MWe (525MWt) using low-enriched uranium fuel, with flexibility to produce process heat for industrial applications and hydrogen production. The design has completed the first phase of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s three-phase pre-licensing vendor design review and is undergoing pre-licensing activities with the US NRC. Holtec has also applied for a Generic Design Assessment of the SMR-160 in the UK. Holtec has not commented on its selection by GBN.
In the next stage of the procurement process, bidders will be invited to enter negotiations with GBN. The aim is then for a final investment decision to be taken in 2029. The UK Government has not yet confirmed where the first SMRs will be built. However, GBN purchased sites in Wylfa, on the Welsh island of Anglesey; and Oldbury, Gloucestershire, earlier this year.
Researched and written by Judith Perera
