NEW BUILD | ENGINEERING FOR OWNERS
A closer look at the owner’s engineer role As an independent advocate of the project owner, an owner’s engineer brings experience from previous projects that is transferable to SMR developments. This critical supporting role fills gaps and supplements a project owner’s resources by providing technical advisory support throughout all stages. By taking a holistic view of a project, an owner’s engineer identifies pain points and solutions. This helps the owner make informed decisions, assume the role of an “intelligent customer” and develop organisational maturity, thereby reducing the risk of liabilities and setting the project on a path to success. An owner’s engineer also helps to optimise project costs through greater oversight of the project scope, schedule, quality, and various other aspects. An independent owner’s engineer ensures that an
SMR project moves from concept to deployment. Early engagement of an owner’s engineer is therefore crucial, as the sooner they support the project, the sooner delays and costly reworks can be avoided. The owner’s engineer’s scope of work usually covers (but is not limited to):
Design and planning: Acting as a representative of the
project owner, an owner’s engineer helps lay the project groundwork. They provide guidance by defining the owner’s scope, conduct feasibility studies, review designs, evaluate technology and site suitability, and assess compliance with relevant codes and standards to mitigate risks early. The role includes optioneering as well as evaluating design changes or deviations to ensure proper documentation and implementation without compromising safety, quality or schedule. An owner’s engineer facilitates the permitting and licensing process by supporting the preparation of documentation and engaging with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance.
Manufacturing: The owner’s engineer plays a critical
role in the development of quality assurance and control, and in the oversight of manufacturing equipment. They can play a vital part in assessing suppliers and overseeing the supply chain. This includes conducting audits and inspections to ensure that suppliers adhere to applicable codes, standards, technical specifications, and quality requirements. By streamlining these processes, the owner’s engineer mitigates risks of delays or non-compliance. Construction and commissioning: Services can include the supervision of EPC contractors by means of quality checks and on-site oversight, ensuring adherence to specifications, regulations, and health and safety standards. During commissioning, the owner’s engineer supports the development and execution plans, including system testing and integration of systems to ensure operational readiness. An experienced owner’s engineer can develop optimised inspection and maintenance programmes for operation. Through diligent oversight, the owner’s engineer helps manage risks and maintain schedules.
The RoPower SMR project RoPower Nuclear was founded in 2022 by Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica SA (SNN) and Nova Power & Gas SRL to promote the development and implementation of a first-of-a-kind SMR in Romania. Its initial project will be built on the site of a decommissioned coal-fired power plant in Doicesti, 90 km away from Bucharest. RoPower appointed TÜV SÜD as the Doicesti project owner´s engineer, focusing on engineering support, design acceptance, and compliance with national and international nuclear standards. TÜV SÜD services include the verification of technical specifications for major equipment, the implementation of quality assurance and quality control programmes against ASME specifications, and supply chain oversight and assistance in assessing the maturity of the selected technology and in fulfilling the regulatory requirements of Romanian authorities. The Doicesti project is an excellent example of the
importance of the owner’s engineer in managing the complexities of supply chains for SMR projects. While this project will be built in the EU, it uses a technology vendor in the USA and an international supply chain that may include manufacturers in multiple regions. As owner’s engineer, TÜV SÜD must manage the wide variety of different standards, codes, regulations, and safety philosophies, so that the outputs generated during the execution of the SMR project are harmonised and compliant with Romanian nuclear regulatory requirements and the EU regulatory framework.
Above: In 2019 Nuclearelectrica and NuScale signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the
evaluation and development of an SMR in Romania Source: MIT
18 | September 2025 |
www.neimagazine.com
Empowering SMR projects Owner’s engineers provide the nuclear industry with independent expertise that can be seamlessly transferred into SMR projects. By bridging knowledge gaps, clarifying licensing processes, and ensuring compliance with international standards, they can reduce project risks and costs. Their experience with new technologies and diverse regulatory landscapes enables project owners to make informed decisions and successfully navigate challenges like global supply chains, varying country-specific safety philosophies, and harmonisation of codes and standards. From design to operation, owner’s engineers help to ensure that SMR projects are developed safely, on time and within budget. ■
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