SMRs & ADVANCED REACTORS | UK COMPETITION UPDATE
SMR competition tender update
With the next steps on the UK’s SMR competition now underway and tender bids placed, a decision of which technologies to take forward is expected before then end of the year
UK PLANS FOR SMALL MODULAR Reactor (SMR) development are progressing with the first reactor design submitted for a justification decision as the Great British Nuclear (GBN) SMR competition continues. Most recently, the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) applied for a justification decision for Rolls-Royce SMR’s reactor design by the UK regulatory authorities. A necessary step in the licensing process before any new
class or type of practice involving ionising radiation can be introduced in the UK, justification is a generic government decision based on a high-level evaluation of the potential benefits and drawbacks of the proposed new nuclear technology. A pre-cursor to additional regulatory processes, justification is not a permit to proceed with a specific project. The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will now conduct a process of internal review and consultation with several statutory consultees. The first ever application for justification of a UK reactor design, the NIA says it has made the case that the benefits far outweigh any potential risks given the robust safety features built into the design. Commenting on the development Tom Greatrex, Chief
Executive of the NIA, said: “Rolls-Royce SMR’s design, like other SMRs, offer huge possibilities for the UK to revive our industrial capabilities and deliver low-carbon energy for net
zero and energy security. We are delighted to support this step to get the design approved in its home country. It is essential that our nuclear renaissance is made in Britain, so the new government should ensure that we deploy enough SMR designs to justify investment in the UK supply chain to deliver them.”
While the justification decision is on-going, Rolls Royce
SMR is also working through a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process. The company recently completed Step 2 of the GDA by UK nuclear industry regulators – the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales. Rolls-Royce SMR is a three loop PWR rated at 470 MWe derived from 1,358 MWth. It 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. 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.
Above: Rolls Royce SMR has asked for a justification decision on its 300 MW PWR design 16 | August 2024 |
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