A US-based nuclear developer said its small modular reactor (SMR) technology could be deployed in the UK within the next decade.
NuScale Power has unveiled a five-point “SMR action plan”, outlining how it plans to partner with UK industry to deliver replacements for coal-fired power stations.
The developer also called on the UK government to take action on SMR development, warning that the “window of opportunity is closing”.
NuScale Power was one of at least four SMR developers to meet with ministers recently to present plans for the roll-out of the technology. More than a year since government launched a competition to find the “best value” SMR design for the UK, the results, and accompanying roadmap for the development of SMRs, have yet to be revealed.
In its five-point plan, the company said: “The UK government can seize this once-in-a generation SMR opportunity by providing long-term political support, the right market conditions, clarity on the regulatory review process, identification of sites, and continued support for UK nuclear capabilities.”
It added that the UK could become a global leader in the development of SMRs through partnership with established developers.
Tom Mundy, Nuscale’s managing director, said: “Our UK SMR Action Plan sets out a clear vision for NuScale’s technology to be rolling off production lines in UK factories, generating power for UK homes in the 2020s and transforming the UK into a hub for export into a lucrative global market.
“NuScale’s SMR is credible for near-term deployment and will help ensure that the UK meets its future energy challenge head on. A UK-U.S. partnership, involving UK companies potentially providing more than 85% of the content required for UK deployments, demonstrates how the UK and U.S. can work together to develop game-changing technology for the global energy system.
“The window of opportunity is closing, and for the benefits of our UK vision of near-term SMR deployments to be fully realised, decisions must be taken by government now.”
NuScale uses a factory fabricated reactor vessel surrounded by a high-pressure steel containment, which can produce 50MW of electricity when coupled to power generation