WILMINGTON, North Carolina—December 20, 2022—GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) today announced that it has submitted a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) entry application for the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) to the U.K. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.   

“We believe the BWRX-300 is the ideal technology to help the U.K. meet its decarbonization and energy security goals,” said Sean Sexstone, Executive Vice President, Advanced Nuclear, GEH. “Regulatory agencies in Canada and the U.S. are collaborating on their licensing review of the BWRX-300. Through the GDA process we look forward to engaging U.K. regulators and enabling collaboration with their global counterparts.”

The GDA process allows U.K. regulators to assess the standards of safety, security and environmental protection of new nuclear power plant designs. GEH was supported in preparation of the GDA entry application by Jacobs U.K. Ltd. (Jacobs), which has supported licensing applications for new nuclear power plant projects in the U.K. since 2007, drawing on its deep understanding of the GDA process and site-specific regulatory requirements.

“Our work with GEH on this application will progress our joint aim of ensuring the U.K.’s energy security and building a more connected and sustainable world,” said Dawn James, Vice President, Nuclear Power, Jacobs.

The U.K. has stated a goal of 24 GW of nuclear generation capacity by 2050 to address energy security and climate change. GEH believes that a fleet of BWRX-300 SMRs could play a substantial role in the U.K. meeting decarbonization and energy security goals.    

There is growing global interest in the BWRX-300. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) selected the BWRX-300 SMR technology for potential deployment in Canada as early as 2028. OPG recently submitted its license to construct application for the Darlington site to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. SaskPower and Tennessee Valley Authority have also selected the BWRX-300 technology for potential deployment. TVA is developing its construction permit application for the Clinch River site and is targeting submittal to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in late 2023. In Poland, ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) started the pre-licensing process by submitting an application to the National Atomic Energy Agency for assessment of the BWRX-300. OSGE plans to deploy a fleet of BWRX-300s with the potential for deployment of the first unit by the end of this decade. To support the global deployment of the BWRX-300, GEH has memoranda of understanding or other agreements in place with companies in Canada, Czech Republic, Poland, U.K., U.S. and Sweden among others.

Advanced nuclear technologies like the BWRX-300 are a key pillar of GEH’s energy transition leadership. In addition to helping customers achieve decarbonization goals, the BWRX-300 is designed to reduce construction and operating costs below other nuclear power generation technologies. Specifically, the BWRX-300 leverages a unique combination of existing fuel, plant simplifications, proven components and a design based on an already licensed reactor.   

About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety. Follow GEH on LinkedIn and Twitter.