UK's Mini-Nuclear Race Narrows to Four as US Firm Exits Competition

The United Kingdom's pursuit of advanced nuclear technology has taken a significant turn as the competition for small modular reactors (SMRs) narrows down to four contenders. NuScale Power, a US-based company, has been eliminated from the race, leaving a quartet of prominent firms vying for the opportunity to shape Britain's nuclear future.

The remaining competitors in the SMR design competition are Rolls-Royce, Westinghouse, GE-Hitachi, and Holtec Britain. These companies will now progress to the final stage of the selection process, where they will submit their "final best offers" to the government. Great British Nuclear (GBN), the government agency overseeing the competition, is expected to announce two winners by early 2025.

SMRs represent a potential breakthrough in nuclear energy production. Unlike traditional large-scale reactors, SMRs typically have a power capacity of up to 300 MW per unit and can be manufactured in factories, potentially reducing costs and construction time. The concept of SMRs dates back to the 1950s, with the US Army's ML-1 project being an early example.

The UK government's commitment to nuclear power is evident in its goal to generate 25% of electricity from nuclear sources by 2050. This ambitious target aligns with the country's broader energy security and net-zero objectives. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson emphasized the importance of SMRs in achieving these goals, stating that they will play a crucial role in securing energy independence and creating thousands of skilled jobs.

The global SMR market is projected to reach $18.8 billion by 2030, highlighting the significant economic potential of this technology. SMRs offer versatility beyond electricity generation, with applications in desalination and hydrogen production. They are also designed with enhanced safety features, including passive safety systems, and can be built underground for increased security.

NuScale Power's elimination from the competition came as a surprise to some observers. The company was informed that it did not meet the criteria for the SMR competition due to its advanced production stage, suggesting that it no longer required support to enter the market. This decision follows a setback for NuScale in November 2023, when its $1.4 billion project in Utah was cancelled due to escalating costs.

The UK's nuclear industry, which currently supports around 60,000 jobs across the country, stands to benefit significantly from the SMR initiative. The first SMR is expected to be operational in the UK by the early 2030s, marking a new era in the nation's nuclear power generation.

While the exact locations for the first SMRs have not been confirmed, GBN has already purchased sites in Wylfa, on the Welsh island of Anglesey, and Oldbury, Gloucestershire. These sites have a rich nuclear history, with Wylfa previously hosting two Magnox reactors (decommissioned in 2015) and Oldbury operating a nuclear power station from 1967 to 2012.

As the competition enters its final stages, the UK moves closer to realizing its vision of a new generation of nuclear power plants. The success of this initiative could potentially revolutionize the country's energy landscape, providing a stable, low-carbon source of electricity for decades to come.