Rolls-Royce’s plans for small modular reactor nuclear power plant designs has taken a major step forward.
The design is now entering the generic design assessment process with watchdogs the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency and
Natural Resources Wales.
Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Tom Samson said: “Entering the process is another major milestone as we head at pace towards our goal of deploying a fleet of SMRs which will produce affordable, low carbon electricity – helping meet future energy demands and reach our net zero targets.
“The UK regulatory process is internationally recognised and respected. We welcome the scrutiny and challenge that goes into the assessment of our nuclear power plant design.”
The consortium already includes many brands including Assystem, Atkins, BAM Nuttall, Laing O’Rourke, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), Jacobs, The Welding Institute and Nuclear AMRC.
The Rolls-Royce SMR, which the consortium said can power a million homes, is a different approach to delivering new nuclear power and takes advantage of factory built modularisation techniques to drastically reduce the amount of on-site construction and can deliver a low cost nuclear solution that is competitive with renewable alternatives.
Copeland MP Trudy Harrison has welcomed the announcement.
Mrs Harrison has campaigned for five years for the introduction of small modular reactors (SMRs) – and to have them located in Copeland.
She said: “I am thrilled at the news today that Rolls Royce SMR are taking the next step with entering the Generic Design Assessment.
“I have been a champion of this technology since my election to Parliament so it’s great to see progress. Technologies like SMRs could provide the future nuclear pipeline in Copeland.
“It is more important than ever that we build new nuclear, large and small, to reach net zero and so we aren’t reliant on foreign countries for energy.”
It was announced in November 2021 that Rolls Royce SMR will invest £195 million of private funding in the project to develop SMRs, with a further £210 million pledged from the Government.
Last year, Mrs Harrison and colleagues met with Mr Samson, other Rolls-Royce bosses and the Government to lobby for the borough to be the location of the first small modular reactors in the UK.
At the time, Mrs Harrison said: “I am committed to the delivery of a strong nuclear future for Copeland, and bringing SMRs to Copeland is the most important achievable priority for the nuclear sector.
“SMRs will deliver clean, low-carbon, affordable energy and will play a significant role in the Government’s Net Zero ambitions for 2024.
“This community knows more about nuclear power than anywhere else in Europe. We have a deep talent pool with a track record of safety and delivering national-significant projects, and I am lobbying strongly for Copeland to be at the forefront of this new and exciting approach to nuclear.”
