UK’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme

Great British Nuclear (GBN) has today started detailed negotiations with the final four shortlisted bidders into the UK’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme. The four companies, GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls Royce SMR and Westinghouse, have been shortlisted following two rounds of assessment by GBN, the government’s expert nuclear delivery body. GBN will negotiate with all four before final tenders are submitted, with final decisions to be taken in the spring. GBN has evaluated each technology, including aspects such as safety, deliverability, and their ability to support development of a fleet of SMRs. GBN considers the designs, each of which is proceeding through the UK’s regulatory process, are viable options for development. Subject to negotiations, GBN consider any one of these designs would be fit to use in the UK nuclear programme. Last month GBN released a document detailing its commercial pipeline for the coming years, which outlined contracts worth a total of £890M to £1.1bn to support the deployment of SMRs. This included £600M to £800M for a project delivery partner and an estimate of £200M for civils work.