Financial Boost for First French Small Nuclear Project

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The European Commission (EC) has approved a 300 million-euro (US$321 million) award by the French government to support the development of its first small modular reactor (SMR) project by state-owned Electricite de France (EDF) (Paris, France).

The funding will go to EDF's dedicated SMR company, Nuward (Paris), to develop processes for the design and construction of SMRs with a power output equivalent to around 300 megawatts (MW). The front-end design is the third phase of the overall Nuward project, which has five phases. In December 2022, the Commission approved a 50 million-euro (US$53.5 million) French measure to support the second phase of the project, which was aimed at acquiring new knowledge for the design and construction of SMRs. Nuward is aiming to start building the country's first SMR plant in 2030 at the port of Le Havre. Its technology is described as a Generation III pressurized water reactor (PWR) combining two 170-MW reactors for a total output of 340 MW. One of the main features of the plant will be the integration of proven PWR technology into a compact modular configuration.

Phase 3 will focus on the sizing of the modules and components of the SMRs and validating their integration in the SMRs by means of numerical simulators and laboratory tests. Nuward will also carry out industrialisation studies relating to the modular design and mass production of SMRs. Nuward will also begin preparations of the required safety demonstrations for the approval of the project by the national nuclear safety authorities.

"We approved today a 300 million-euro measure which enables France to support Nuward's research and development project on innovative small modular reactors," said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president at Commission in charge of competition policy. "This project will contribute to the decarbonisation of energy systems and to the European Union's open strategic autonomy, while limiting possible distortions of competition."

The Commission is actively pushing for the rapid rollout of SMRs, not only to aid in the region's energy transition away from fossil fuels, but also to secure a leadership role for Europe in the design and production of SMR technology for the rest of the world. To that extent, in February the Commission (EC) teamed up with the nuclear power industry to accelerate the development and rollout of SMRs. It launched the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors together with leading nuclear power associations, including nucleareurope, Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG). For additional information, see February 20, 2024, article - Europe Backs Small Modular Reactors.

Industrial Info is tracking 34 SMR projects in Europe worth more than US$36.4 billion in investment. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

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