GE Vernova Advances UK Nuclear Goals with Final BWRX-300 SMR Proposal
GE Vernova’s nuclear arm, GE Hitachi, advances in the UK’s SMR race with its BWRX-300 design, backed by local partnerships and government funding to boost energy security and clean power.
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GE Vernova’s Nuclear business, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), has submitted its final tender response, as part of Great British Nuclear’s (GBN) ongoing small modular reactor (SMR) selection competition.
GEH’s BWRX-300, a 10th generation design, builds on decades of real-world boiling water reactor operating experience and innovation, using a standard design, a proven delivery model and GEH’s experience with cross-border regulatory collaboration.
GEH and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) are developing the first BWRX-300 – the first SMR in the G7 – at OPG’s Darlington site near Toronto. Early site preparation work has been completed. OPG has received a license to construct the first unit from the federal nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and awaits the go-ahead from the provincial government to proceed with construction.
"The Government has a unique opportunity to position the UK at the forefront of delivering the next generation of nuclear power and this submission marks a significant step forward in achieving this goal,” said Andy Champ, GEH UK Country Leader. “The BWRX-300 offers a simplified, safe, and scalable design, backed by a proven track record of advancing SMR technology internationally. Together with our strategic investment partners, we are eager to bring this expertise to the UK."
“We are pleased to submit our final proposal and are excited by the opportunity this milestone brings to the UK energy market,” said Maví Zingoni, CEO, GE Vernova's Power businesses. “Moving forward with two projects will help to establish an innovative new nuclear sector here in the UK, driving socio-economic growth up and down the country, creating jobs and unlocking greater opportunities to bolster the UK supply chain.”
GEH recently signed a series of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with major UK firms Boccard and Cavendish Nuclear as well as Aecon, Amentum, AtkinsRéalis and Laing O’Rourke. These agreements build on GEH’s SMR supply chain conference held in Sheffield last year, which was attended by over 150 UK businesses.
Separately, in January 2024 GEH received a £33.6 million Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF) grant from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ). In conjunction with the awarding of this grant, GEH entered the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process for the BWRX-300.
Building on a deep history in the UK, GE Vernova has a significant local footprint with four manufacturing facilities across the country and more than 30 percent of the country’s electricity currently powered by our technology.
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