Rolls-Royce SMR has completed Step 2 of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) by UK nuclear industry regulators – the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.
The GDA process assesses new nuclear power plant designs for deployment in the UK, demonstrating they can be built, operated and decommissioned in accordance with the highest standards of safety, security, safeguards and environmental protection.
Rolls-Royce SMR will now proceed to Step 3 of the GDA – detailed assessment. “The completion of Step 2 of the GDA is the most important milestone to date in advancing deployment of Rolls-Royce SMRs in the UK,” said Helena Perry, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Safety & Regulatory Affairs Director. “We have built fantastic momentum, and the team will move directly into Step 3 of this rigorous independent assessment of our technology – ideally positioning us to deliver low- carbon nuclear power and support the UK transition to net zero.”
Rolls-Royce SMR is currently engaged in the Great British Nuclear SMR technology selection process. It is one of six SMR designs shortlisted in October 2023. A final investment decision in two or three of the designs is expected to be taken in 2029.
In July, the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) applied to the UK Government for a justification decision for Rolls-Royce SMR’s reactor design. Justification is a regulatory process which requires a Government decision before any new class or type of practice involving ionising radiation can be introduced in the UK. This was the first ever application for justification of a UK reactor design. The UK Government has confirmed that the application has been accepted for consideration.
The Rolls-Royce SMR design is a three loop PWR with an output of 470 MWe derived from 1,358 MWt. The Rolls-Royce SMR concept is centred on modularisation of reliable and proven technology, allowing maximum use of the factory environment to combine standard components with advanced manufacturing techniques. The factory-built modularisation approach is expected to drastically reduce the amount of on-site construction while its compact footprint and modular design means it can be located alongside energy intensive industrial processes.
Rolls-Royce SMR has received UK Government funding of £210m ($270m) as part of Phase 2 of the Low-Cost Nuclear Challenge Project, administered by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI). This has been supplemented by £280m of private capital. The Government support aims to accelerate the Rolls-Royce SMR design through the GDA process.
ONR’s GDA Step 2 statement said: “Based upon assessment to date ONR has not identified any significant issues that may prevent ONR from issuing a Design Assessment Confirmation (DAC), might prevent ONR permissioning construction of a nuclear power plant based upon that design, or which might be in conflict with relevant government policy.”
