The Westinghouse AP300 small modular reactor (SMR) has been greenlit for the UK’s generic design assessment (GDA) process.
- This approval allows the assessment of the reactor’s safety and environmental impact before any specific UK site development occurs.
- The AP300 SMR is distinguished by its similarity to Westinghouse’s established nuclear technology, enhancing its competitive edge.
- The assessment’s first phase will involve collaboration with key regulatory bodies, paving the way for future deployment.
- The AP300’s proven design underpins its anticipated role in the UK’s nuclear energy landscape, potentially operational by the early 2030s.
The Westinghouse AP300 small modular reactor (SMR) has received approval to commence the generic design assessment (GDA) process in the UK. This crucial step, announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), marks a significant progression in assessing the reactor’s safety, security, and environmental aspects before any site-specific proposals are initiated.
The GDA process is an essential mechanism in evaluating new nuclear power plant designs to ensure they meet stringent safety, security, and environmental standards within the UK. By entering this process, the AP300 SMR is positioned to demonstrate its capabilities to operate and decommission within these bounds, providing a substantial opportunity for Westinghouse Electric Company to showcase its nuclear technology.
Westinghouse’s competitive edge in the SMR market stems from the AP300’s design, which is closely modelled on the company’s existing AP1000 technology. The Gen III+ AP1000 has already garnered regulatory approvals in several countries, including Great Britain, the USA, and China, with recognition from the European Utility Requirements (EUR) standards. This background establishes the AP300 as a reliable choice, leveraging proven nuclear methods rather than riskier, first-of-a-kind technologies.
The initial phase of the GDA requires Westinghouse to engage with the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales where applicable. Westinghouse’s selection in the UK’s Great British Nuclear SMR competition further underscores its strategic importance, as it has also been chosen by Community Nuclear Power for deploying four AP300 SMRs in Northeast England – marking the UK’s first privately funded SMRs.
Westinghouse leverages its 75-year legacy in nuclear technology, which is reinforced by its operations in the UK at Springfields, Lancashire. This heritage supports the AP300’s anticipated economic advantages, reflecting an analysis of existing project costs and deployment plans across three continents. As part of the global interest in this SMR model, potential clients are being engaged in Europe and North America, indicating a broad scope for this technology’s application.
The announcement was well-received by industry leaders, including Nuclear Industry Association chief executive Tom Greatrex, who expressed optimism about the AP300’s progress through the regulatory channels. This sentiment was echoed by Dan Lipman, president of Westinghouse Energy Systems, who praised the rapid approval by the UK Department of Energy Security and reaffirmed confidence in the process’s pace.
Alongside Westinghouse, competitors such as GE-Hitachi, Holtec Britain, NuScale Power, and Rolls-Royce SMR are also vying for recognition and support within the UK’s burgeoning SMR sector. The race is on to finalise two primary designs for government support before the year ends, with Rolls-Royce having advanced to the final stage of its GDA earlier this year.
Westinghouse’s AP300 SMR approval signifies a pivotal step towards its deployment in the UK’s nuclear power sector.
