The GDA process

The Generic Design Assessment (GDA) is jointly conducted by ONR, Environment Agency, and NRW. It is a voluntary, non-mandatory process which helps ensure that new nuclear power plants built in the UK meet the high standards of safety, security, waste management, safeguards and environmental protection. The GDA process takes place prior to the detailed proposals for a specific site.

The GDA is not an assessment of the principles of nuclear energy, but of the design of the BWRX-300 itself. Passing GDA is an important step in the process towards developing a station; however, a Nuclear Site Licence is still required for site development, as are environmental permits. Though the GDA may inform elements of these assessments, it does not replace them.

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A 3-step process

GDAs help organisations reduce the uncertainty and project risk associated with their proposed reactor design. The process has up to 3 steps, with the assessment becoming increasingly more detailed. The steps outlined below help enable future licensing, permitting, construction, and regulatory activities. It generally takes about four years to complete.

Initiation

Project mobilisation and scope agreement between the Requesting Party and the regulators.

Fundamental assessment

Identifies if the current reactor design has any issues that do not meet regulatory expectations. The reports published at the end of each step highlight any concerns or technical issues that have been raised during the assessment.

Detailed assessment

ONR issues a Design Acceptance Confirmation (DAC) document and the Environment Agency and NRW issue a Statement of Design Acceptability (SoDA) when they conclude the potential suitability of the design to be safely and securely built, operated, and eventually decommissioned while meeting environmental protection standards.

GEH is currently planning to complete the GDA process through Step 2 on our path towards the licensing process of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor in the UK in December 2025.

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Regulators conducting the BWRX-300 GDA

Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)

ONR is the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, with responsibility for regulating safety and security at 36 nuclear licensed sites. It also regulates the safety and security of the transport of civil nuclear and radioactive materials, and operates the UK State System of Accountancy for and Control of Nuclear Materials (SSAC).

Environment Agency (England)

The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England. It makes sure that nuclear companies and the sites they operate meet high standards of environmental protection.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

NRW helps ensure that nuclear companies and the sites they operate in Wales meet high environmental protection standards.

Public comments

Ask a question or provide comments on the BWRX-300 design

Public comments are a part of the regulators’ requirements for GDA. Relevant comments will be seen by regulators and used in GDA process.

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