Holtec International progresses with UK Generic Design Assessment for SMR-300 reactor
US nuclear company Holtec International has passed the first step of the UK’s Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for its SMR-300 small modular reactor (SMR) design. The GDA is conducted by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to assess the safety, security, and environmental protection aspects of nuclear power plant designs for potential deployment in Britain.
Saffron Price-Finnerty, the Environment Agency’s new reactors programme manager, stated that they are evaluating the environmental acceptability of Holtec International’s new SMR design, with Holtec Britain overseeing the delivery of the GDA in the UK.
The GDA process comprises three steps. Step 1, which began in October 2023 and focused on setting the scope and schedule for Step 2, has now been completed. Step 2, starting today, is expected to last for 14 months and involves a fundamental assessment of the design.
The ONR noted that Holtec has met all Step 1 requirements, making significant progress in developing its organization and arrangements to support the GDA. The comprehensive assessment of the design will commence in Step 2, lasting until early 2025.
In May 2021, the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy opened the GDA process to advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs. The UK Government launched Great British Nuclear (GBN) to support new nuclear builds, including SMRs, which have a capacity of up to 300MW(e) per unit and are a key component of the GBN project.
Meanwhile, Holtec has gained approval to restart the Palisades nuclear plant in Covert, Michigan, which ceased operations in May 2022.