Rolls-Royce SMR design moves to next stage of regulatory assessment.

Rolls-Royce SMR, supported by grant funding from UKRI, has progressed to Step 2 of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA), following the successful completion of the first step in the assessment by the UK’s independent nuclear regulators.

Reaching this significant milestone puts the Rolls-Royce SMR significantly ahead of other designs in securing consent for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to operate in the UK. Rolls-Royce SMR’s unique ‘factory-built’ power plant can generate 470MW of low-carbon electricity – enough to power a million homes for at least 60 years. 

Safety & Regulatory Affairs Director, Helena Perry, said: “This is a huge stride forward for our project and, through the independent scrutiny of our regulators, further increases confidence in the viability of the Rolls-Royce SMR design. 

“Rolls-Royce SMR has unmatched experience in GDA, international licensing and permitting. We are using all the knowledge and learning from our uniquely skilled team to move at pace through the GDA process – bringing us closer to our vision of providing clean, affordable energy for all and providing a British solution to a global energy crisis.”

Step 2 is the fundamental assessment stage of the GDA where the detailed technical assessment by the regulators – the Office for Nuclear Regulation, Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales - begins in earnest. 

To ensure the design meets the highest standards of safety, security, safeguards and environmental protection, Rolls-Royce SMR has launched a dedicated website where people can ‘have their say’ on the Rolls-Royce SMR design. Key documents will be published and any comments or feedback will be incorporated into the regulatory process.

Rolls-Royce SMR

Dan Gould, 
M +44 (0) 7717 720809
[email protected] 
https://www.rolls-royce-smr.com/
Small Modular Reactors | Flickr

Notes to Editors: 

Rolls-Royce SMR will draw upon standard nuclear energy technology that has been used in 400 reactors around the world.  

£210m of grant funding was awarded to Rolls-Royce SMR in 2021 and is administered by UKRI. The aim of this support is to accelerate the Rolls-Royce SMR design and pass GDA stage 2. 

The Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues.

Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes comments and questions about the Rolls-Royce SMR design. This feedback will be incorporated into the GDA process and may be published anonymously on the Rolls-Royce SMR GDA website and used during dialogue with our regulators.