Rolls-Royce SMR has selected Germany-based Siemens Energy as its global turbine systems partner. The partnership agreement seeks to provide the complete turbine systems package covering, design, manufacture, installation and commissioning for a global fleet of ‘factory-built’ small modular reactor (SMR) power plants.
The Rolls-Royce SMR is a 470 MWe design based on a small pressurised water reactor measuring about 16 metres by four metres. Some 90% of the SMR will be built in factory conditions, limiting on-site activity primarily to assembly of pre-fabricated, pre-tested, modules.
Rolls Royce SMR said the collaboration “de-risks the programme and strengthens our ability to deliver our SMR”. The agreement will leverage Siemens Energy UK’s existing manufacturing base, “and their global presence will ensure we are able to deliver in multiple countries”.
“The turbine systems are a vital part of the Rolls-Royce SMR power plant,” said Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Chris Cholerton, “This partnership will unlock UK jobs and a range of manufacturing opportunities and further cements our position as Europe’s leading SMR technology.”
“Siemens Energy brings decades of experience in turbo machinery for power generation applications, while Rolls-Royce SMR has the necessary critical expertise in nuclear applications,” noted Karim Amin, Siemens Energy Executive Board Member. “This perfect symbiosis enables us to jointly shape the future of energy supply. We are very pleased to be working with Rolls-Royce SMR on this exciting project.”
Alongside an established manufacturing base in the UK, Siemens Energy has 100,000 employees in 90 countries and operates across the whole energy landscape, providing the equipment at the heart of power generation. Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected to deploy SMR units in the Czech Republic and down-selected for potential projects in the UK and Sweden.
