July 9, 2024
While the other shortlisted suppliers submitted bids for their respective Small Modular Reactor (SMR) designs, EDF withdrew its Nuward model from Great British Nuclear’s SMR tender.
What each of the six shortlisted proposals could look like (composite image: Holtec, Rolls-Royce, Nuward, NuScale, GE Hitachi, Westinghouse)
The UK aims to increase nuclear power capacity to 24 GW by 2050, through a combination of traditional large-scale power stations and SMRs. Last year, the arm’s-length organization Great British Nuclear (GBN), set up to help provide this extra capacity, began a selection process for which SMR technology to use. In October, EDF, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), Holtec, NuScale Power, Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse were invited to bid for UK government contracts in the next stage of the process.
In early June, the deadline for submitting bids was pushed back by two weeks, from 24 June to 8 July, four days after the general election that saw the change from Conservative to Labor government in the UK. The delay in the deadline was considered to be at the request of one of the candidates rather than related to the election.
An EDF spokesperson said World Nuclear News the company decided to “withdraw from the SMR competition due to an incompatibility between the level of commitment and timeline required by GBN and the level of maturity of Nuward SMR”.
The move comes just days after EDF announced plans to carry out further work to optimize the design of its Nuward SMR, focusing on existing and proven technologies. This decision followed feedback from potential European customers and was taken to ensure project deadlines and budgets were met. EDF did not say whether the reactor overhaul would have an impact on the budget and timeline of the Nuward project.
Submission of tenders
GEH has announced that it has submitted its response to the tender by providing documentation to support its BWRX-300 SMR technology.
“We entered this competition with a proven track record of advancing SMR reactor technology internationally, fuel already licensed and in operation and a reactor designed for production,” said Andy Champ, GEH UK Country Leader. “Evolving from proven, simple boiling reactor technology, our BWRX-300 is not only smaller, but the innovation has made it even more simplified. We believe this uniquely positions us to reliably deliver the highest value for money SMRs and together with our strategic investment partners, be a valuable partner to the UK Government as it strives to achieve its net zero target by 2050.
“We have a strong and growing team here in the UK and we believe our SMR represents the lowest risk, highest reward option for Great British Nuclear. We look forward to the outcome of the competition and the opportunity to play a key role.” to help deliver not only Great British Nuclear’s ambitions, but also the new government’s mission to make the UK a green energy superpower.”
In a LinkedIn post, Rolls-Royce SMR said it had also submitted its response to the GBN tender. “This is an extremely exciting time for Rolls-Royce SMR, which is poised to rapidly move into its next phase,” the company said. “GBN’s selection by the end of the year will unlock supply chain investment, job creation and huge opportunities to export this unique product to countries around the world seeking to strengthen their energy security with a long-term low-carbon solution. “
Holtec also announced on LinkedIn that it had submitted its tender, noting that its proposal “is enhanced by working with our valued partners, including Hyundai Engineering & Construction. Holtec is uniquely positioned to serve as a vehicle for the strategic management of the US, UK and South Korea. cooperation”.
He added: “The stakes have never been higher for the joint deployment of the SMR-300 to ensure the UK’s energy security. We look forward to the opportunity to partner with Great British Nuclear and play a key role in the continued development of the UK nuclear industry .” “
NuScale said in a post on X that it has submitted a tender response for its VOYGR SMR. “With a single SMR technology having completed research and development, secured regulatory approval and started production, we are ready to deploy reliable, clean nuclear power in the UK,” it said.
Another technology provider in the competition is Westinghouse with its AP300 SMR. In February, it submitted an application to the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for consent to enter the Generic Design Assessment, which allows regulators to assess the safety, security and environmental impact of new reactor designs, independently of applications to build them on specific sites. sites.
“The AP300 SMR is an evolution of our advanced AP1000 reactor, which is now deployed in China and the United States and licensed in the United Kingdom,” said Westinghouse. “The AP300 SMR’s pedigree, proven technology and true supply chain base make it and Westinghouse the perfect fit to meet GBN and the UK Government’s important energy security and net zero goals.”
Rita Baranwal, Westinghouse Senior Vice President for AP300 SMR, added: “This partnership can deliver clean and reliable energy to UK consumers for decades, underpinning a century or more of UK growth and prosperity. proven APX technology (AP300 and AP1000) combined with our skilled British workforce and over 75 years of nuclear manufacturing experience in the country to form a true partnership with GBN.”
Background
In an interview earlier this year for World Nuclear News podcast, GBN chairman Simon Bowen said the planned timeline is to reduce the SMR shortlist to around four after tender responses are submitted, with the aim of concluding contracts by the end of the year with two or three technology providers – this would be co-funding the technology only after the proposal process is complete , regulatory, environmental and site-specific permits and the potential to contract for the supply of equipment. Each selected technology would have an allocated site with the potential to host multiple SMRs.
The aim is for the final investment decision to be taken in 2029.
It is not yet clear what impact a change of government could have on the election, although the incoming Labor government was pro-nuclear and said in its election manifesto that it would “end the decades of indecisiveness seen by the Conservatives. duck decision on nuclear power We will ensure the long-term security of the sector, extend the life of existing plants and get Hinkley Point C above the line New nuclear power stations such as Sizewell C and small modular reactors will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean energy and at the same time securing thousands of good and skilled jobs’.
Researched and wrote World Nuclear News