Great British Nuclear (GBN) has started detailed negotiations with the final four shortlisted bidders to advance small modular reactors (SMRs) in the UK.
The four companies, GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls Royce SMR and Westinghouse, have been shortlisted to develop UK small modular reactors following two rounds of assessment by GBN, the government’s expert nuclear delivery body.
GBN will negotiate with all four before the final tenders are submitted, and final decisions will be made in the spring.
Advanced nuclear technologies in the UK
Advanced nuclear technologies have an important role in transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and the 2020 Energy White Paper confirmed the government’s commitment to developing large, small, and advanced nuclear projects.
More recently, the Net Zero Strategy reinforced the importance of nuclear in the UK’s energy mix as we transition to net zero.
The Ten Point Plan announced the Advanced Nuclear Fund, which will invest up to £385m in the next generation of nuclear technologies.
This includes up to £215m for UK small modular reactors to develop a domestic smaller-scale power plant technology design.
The UK government believes that SMRs could play an important role alongside large nuclear as a low-carbon energy source to support a secure, affordable, decarbonised energy system.
The Ten Point Plan and the Energy White Paper announced the government’s intention to deploy a First-of-a-Kind UK SMR by the early 2030s.
Commercialising UK small modular reactors
Each of the four designs was subject to a robust analysis to reach the final negotiation stage.
GBN has evaluated each technology, including aspects such as safety, deliverability, and their ability to support the development of a fleet of UK small modular reactors.
GBN considers the designs, each of which is proceeding through the UK’s regulatory process, as viable development options.
Subject to negotiations, GBN consider any of these designs to be fit for the UK nuclear programme.
GBN’s Chair, Simon Bowen, said: “This is a significant moment for the UK SMR programme. Our technical experts have assessed each design in detail and are very confident these SMRs could play a key role in the UK’s future energy mix.
“The negotiation phase will enable us to select the absolute best technologies on the best terms for the UK.”
