A computer mock-up of Westinghouse’s proposed AP300 small modular reactor (SMR). Credit: Westinghouse.

US nuclear company Westinghouse Electric has received formal approval from the UK’s Department of Energy and Net Zero to enter the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for its AP300 SMR, marking an important step forward for the nuclear technology in the country.

Last year, the UK Government launched Great British Nuclear (GBN) to support new nuclear builds including the development of SMRs. These smaller and transportable reactors have a capacity of up to 300MW(e) per unit and are a cornerstone of the GBN project.

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According to Westinghouse, the AP300 SMR design utilises its proven Gen III+ AP1000 advanced technology, which has previously received regulatory approval in the UK, the US and China, as well as passing the European Utility Requirements standards for nuclear power plants.

The AP300 SMR was selected for the current phase of the GBN project in October, and Community Nuclear Power decided that Westinghouse will build four AP300 SMRs in north-east England. Westinghouse said its experience in carrying out nuclear manufacturing operations at its Springfield site in Lancashire will help inform the SMR project.

Dan Lipman, president of energy systems at Westinghouse, said: “We would like to thank the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for their swift and positive consideration of our application to enter the AP300 SMR for GDA.”

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 “The UK’s familiarity with the AP300’s underpinning technology and our strong track record of licencing success in the UK and globally give us confidence that we will move through the GDA process at pace.”

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Westinghouse said it uses its proven AP1000 pressurised water reactor technology in its SMR design. Other companies looking to develop SMRs are experimenting with first-of-a-kind technologies, making them riskier than the AP300 technology, according to Westinghouse.

The company added that the finances of the AP300 project are based on existing project costs from AP1000 reactors already in operation.