Westinghouse Electric Co.’s AP300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) recently moved to the final phase of the Great British Nuclear’s (GBN) competitive SMR technology selection process.
GBN supports the U.K. government’s goal of delivering up to 24 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2050 for energy security. GBN is conducting a competitive process to select the world’s best SMR technologies. The final phase in the competition is the generic design assessment process.
“We are pleased that GBN recognizes the advantages of the AP300 SMR design, which is based on an operating reactor that is already licensed in the U.K.,” Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse president and CEO, said. “With proven technologies and regulator familiarity, the AP300 can get to market quickly, economically and with certainty. We look forward to working with GBN through the final review and selection process.”
The AP300 small modular reactor is based on a larger Generation III+ reactor already in operation globally, including licensed in the U.K. The AP300 SMR uses the AP1000 engineering, components and supply chain.
Westinghouse is confident that the first AP300 SMR operating unit will be available in the early 2030s. The AP300 SMR is under consideration by customers in the U.K., as well as Europe and North America.