The UK Small Modular Reactor (UKSMR) consortium, which is led by industrial technology group Rolls-Royce, has joined European nuclear industry association Foratom. This is part of UKSMR’s objective of developing global connections and accessing export markets.

UKSMR is designing an SMR nuclear power plant that would be constructed from standardised components manufactured in factories, using advanced manufacturing processes. This approach would drive down costs and rapidly speed up construction times, as the SMR and its associated plant would be delivered to the construction site in modular and component form and there assembled under a weatherproof canopy.

“Nuclear power is central to tackling climate change, economic recovery and energy security,” affirmed UKSMR interim CEO Tom Samson. “To do this it must be affordable, reliable and investable and the way we manufacture and assemble our power station brings its cost down to be comparable with offshore wind. It also stimulates jobs and growth and with the flexibility to power alternative low carbon fuels manufacturing, as well providing grid power, it is the best option for underpinning decarbonisation strategies around the world.”

Based in Brussels, Belgium, Foratom is made up of 15 national nuclear associations, representing almost 3 000 companies, plus six corporate members (including UKSMR). Its membership covers uranium miners, millers and enrichers, plus consultants, insurers, and lawyers, as well as nuclear engineering, fuel production and reprocessing, manufacturing, transport, power utility, and decommissioning and waste processing companies.

“We are delighted to have the UKSMR consortium joining our efforts to promote the interests of the nuclear sector at the (European Union) level,” stated Foratom director-general Yves Desbazelle. “The topic of SMRs is gaining momentum in the European Union (EU) as there are ongoing discussions on how this technology could fit into Europe’s future energy mix. Therefore, we are happy to be able to benefit from the expertise of the UKSMR consortium and its experts in this field in order to ensure that the potential of SMRs is fully recognised by EU decision-makers.”

The UKSMR has in recent months signed memoranda of understanding with companies in two EU members States, namely the Czech Republic and Estonia. Each UKSMR power station would have a capacity of at least 470 MWe. “[SMRs are] a compelling proposition that has a clear role to play in tackling climate change and to achieve that it’s important we collaborate with highly experienced nuclear industry partners across Europe to accelerate the deployment of the SMR to achieve net zero ambitions,” said Samson. 

The consortium is working with the UK government (which supports civil nuclear energy) to secure a commitment for a fleet of these SMRs, with the first to be operational within a decade. The power plants would be built by UKSMR and then handed over to the power generation companies, which would operate them.