Great British Nuclear has shortlisted four companies—Rolls Royce SMR, GE Hitachi, Holtec, and Westinghouse—to advance in the procurement process for small modular reactors in the UK. This follows the conclusion of the tender phase, with both EDF and NuScale dropping out of the contest. Industry leaders express optimism about the potential for SMRs to transform the energy landscape, despite concerns regarding their commercial viability and execution.
Great British Nuclear (GBN) has shortlisted four key companies, including Rolls Royce SMR, GE Hitachi, Holtec, and Westinghouse, to advance to the subsequent phase of the procurement process aimed at establishing the United Kingdom’s inaugural fleet of small modular reactor (SMR) power plants. The announcement, made on Thursday, follows the completion of the tender phase in the technology selection procedure, with the shortlisted companies invited to commence negotiations. In narrowing the contenders from an original group of six that submitted tenders earlier this summer, GBN saw French energy conglomerate EDF withdraw from the competition in July, while US firm NuScale was eliminated in the most recent evaluation. Chris Cholerton, the CEO of Rolls Royce SMR, emphasized the competitive edge of the firm, stating that they are “18 months ahead of competitors in the regulatory approvals process.” He further asserted that the advancement to formal negotiations with GBN will enhance their first-mover advantage. Rolls Royce SMR has been chosen to implement its fleet of SMRs in the Czech Republic and is among the final candidates in Sweden’s selection process for SMRs. Cholerton expressed the belief that succeeding in the UK would fortify their status as the leading SMR company and enable the UK to leverage this transformative opportunity for its domestic supply chain. Andy Champ, country leader for GE Hitachi, also expressed enthusiasm regarding the progress. He stated, “We have big ambitions for deploying our SMR technology in the UK, so we are proud to advance to the next stage of GBN’s competition.” GE Hitachi has initiated site preparation in Canada for its BWRX-300, recognized as the most advanced SMR project in the G7, positioning it effectively for leading SMR deployment in the UK by utilizing its experience from other markets. The proposals presented include a 300 MWe boiling water reactor by GE Hitachi, a 300 MWe pressurized water reactor from Holtec, a 470 MWe pressurized water reactor from Rolls Royce SMR, and a 300 MWe/900 MWth pressurized water reactor offered by Westinghouse. Proponents of SMRs assert that they hold the potential to significantly reduce nuclear power costs compared to traditional large-scale reactors, with faster delivery timelines, thereby facilitating the technology’s crucial role in the net zero transition planned for the 2030s. Conversely, critics caution that no commercial SMRs have been delivered worldwide to date, highlighting the nuclear industry’s historical challenges with project timelines and escalating costs. They advocate for the government to concentrate on enhancing renewable energy capacity, smart grid technologies, and energy efficiency improvements instead of relying on SMRs to fulfill emissions targets.
The article discusses the developments concerning the Great British Nuclear (GBN) initiative, which is focused on procuring small modular reactors (SMRs) to enhance the UK’s nuclear power capabilities as part of the country’s broader energy strategy. As nations turn toward nuclear energy to achieve net zero carbon emissions, SMRs have emerged as a focal point due to their purported ability to offer more affordable and rapidly deployable nuclear power solutions.
In summary, Great British Nuclear has progressed to the next stage with four shortlisted companies vying to supply small modular reactor technologies in the UK. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding SMRs and their potential advantages in addressing energy demands and emissions goals, significant skepticism remains about their practical implementation and feasibility, which necessitates careful consideration as the UK navigates its energy future.
Original Source: www.businessgreen.com
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