Small Modular Reactors: competitive technology selection process

GBN will publish a contract notice that sets out an intention to enter into a development contract with those successful bidders. This will have the option of pursuing a project through Final Investment Decision (FID) to construction and subsequently operations, providing a route to market for successful bidders.

In practice, this means offering chosen technologies an unprecedented level of support:

• funding to support technology development site-specific design
• a close partnership with GBN, which will be ready and able to provide developer capability
• support in accessing sites

As a first step in this process, interested parties will be required to respond to a selection questionnaire. Once this stage is complete, GBN will down-select those technologies which have met the criteria, and then enter into detailed discussions with those companies as part of an invitation to negotiate phase. The government will seek to decide as soon as possible which technology or technologies to support. This process is designed to afford government flexibility in the number of projects it chooses to support, and the ability to support successful projects through the construction phase if this proves value for money.

Selection process

There is a process currently underway to identify the best, most appropriate, SMR technologies:

1. marketMarket intelligence gathering, which concluded in June 20232023.

2. technologyTechnology initial down selection, launched in July, concluding in Autumn 2023 with the next phase to launch as quickly as possible after thatthat.

3. successfulSuccessful technologies will be supported to be ready to enable a Final Investment Decision (FID) by 2029. This will entail funding to support technology development and site-specific design; a close partnership with GBN, which will be ready and able to provide developer capability; and support in accessing sitessites.

Next steps

WeRead willthe publishSmall moreModular informationReactor aboutTechnology Partner contract notice which was published on the technologyGOV.UK selectionFind processa shortly.Tender service on 18 July 2023.

Contact details

If you have any questions about SMRs or GBN, email enquiries@gbnuclear.gov.uk.