Small Modular Reactors: competitive technology selection process

InGBN Julywill 2023,publish GBN issued a Contractcontract Noticenotice settingthat sets out an intention to enter into a twodevelopment Stage contract forwith design,those developmentsuccessful andbidders. This will have the option of pursuing a project through Final Investment Decision (FID) to construction contractand withsubsequently thoseoperations, providing a route to market for successful bidders.  bidders.

Procurement

In Progresspractice, To-Date 

• 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

InAs Julya 2023,first step in this process, interested parties werewill be required to respond to a selection questionnaire.questionnaire. Once Thisthis concludedstage inis Augustcomplete, 2023.  

1. InGBN Octoberwill 2023,down-select GBNthose down-selectedtechnologies sixwhich technologies,have whomet wouldthe becriteria, eligibleand tothen bidenter into thedetailed nextdiscussions phasewith those companies as part of thean procurement. 

2. Ininvitation Marchto 2024,negotiate thesephase. sixThe vendorsgovernment werewill invitedseek to submitdecide initialas tenders.soon GBNas receivedpossible fivewhich bidstechnology byor thetechnologies Julyto 2024support. submissionThis deadline. 

Statusprocess is designed to afford government flexibility in the number of Procurement 

GBNprojects hasit nowchooses concludedto support, and the initialability tenderto phasesupport ofsuccessful projects through the technologyconstruction selectionphase process.if Thethis down-selectedproves companiesvalue are: for money.

• Selection process

  GE-HitachiThere Nuclearis Energya Internationalprocess LLC currently underway to identify the best, most appropriate, SMR technologies:

1. HoltecMarket Britainintelligence Ltd gathering, which concluded in June 2023.

2. RollsTechnology Royceinitial SMRdown Ltd selection, launched in July, concluding in Autumn 2023 with the next phase to launch as quickly as possible after that.

3. WestinghouseSuccessful Electrictechnologies Companywill UKbe Ltdsupported 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 sites.

Next steps

InRead the nextSmall stageModular ofReactor theTechnology procurementPartner process,contract biddersnotice willwhich bewas invitedpublished toon enterthe negotiationsGOV.UK withFind GBN. a Tender service on 18 July 2023.

Contact details

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