Westinghouse receives UK approval for AP300 SMR design assessment
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 Small Modular Reactor (SMR). This marks a significant step for nuclear technology in the UK, which is supporting new nuclear projects through the Great British Nuclear (GBN) initiative.
The AP300 SMR is a smaller, transportable reactor with a capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, based on Westinghouse’s proven AP1000 pressurized water reactor technology. The design utilizes Gen III+ AP1000 technology, which has already received regulatory approval in the UK, the US, and China, and meets the European Utility Requirements standards for nuclear power plants. The finances for the AP300 project are based on costs from AP1000 reactors currently in operation.
The AP300 SMR was selected for the current phase of the GBN project in October, and four AP300 SMRs are planned for north-east England.