UK and Swedish nuclear regulators have taken a significant step towards international collaboration on small modular reactor deployment, with a workshop supported by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, designed to accelerate the safe rollout of the technology across both countries.
The workshop followed the recent announcement in June, that the Swedish utility Videberg Kraft had selected Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd to supply small modular nuclear reactors, representing the first new nuclear build in Sweden for more than 40 years.
Videberg Kraft, owned by Vattenfall and a group of Sweden’s largest companies, plans to develop this new nuclear power capacity alongside the site of the existing Ringhals nuclear facility in southwest Sweden.
The workshop provided an important foundation for sustained collaboration between Swedish and UK regulators, which is expected to continue well into the next decade as these reactors are constructed at Gwyndod, Wales and Ringhals.
Discussions covered a range of topics, including UK regulators’ work on the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of the Rolls-Royce SMR technology, as well as the knowledge and experience developed through the regulation of new build projects such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.
These discussions will inform the development of a multi-year plan for meaningful engagement, enabling knowledge to be shared in both directions and supporting the safe and timely delivery of an international fleet of Rolls-Royce SMRs, thereby strengthening energy security in both countries.
Rob Exley, ONR’s Head of Regulation for the Rolls-Royce SMR programme, said: “This workshop marked an important first step in transforming ambitions for regulatory collaboration into meaningful activities to accelerate the safe and secure deployment of standardised designs in multiple countries.
“An initial focus on sharing the learning and findings from our ongoing GDAs can provide the basis for future cooperation during construction and commissioning, built upon strong foundations of trust and mutual respect.”
ONR is planning a similar workshop later this year with SUJB, the Czech Republic’s nuclear regulator which follows the signing of a contract between Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd and ČEZ Group, enabling work to begin on the Czech Republic’s first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme.
Paul Dicks, ONR’s Director of New Reactors, said: “The excellent work already underway presents a significant opportunity to build deep and enduring collaboration between the UK, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
“Placing nuclear safety, security, environment and affordability at the heart of this partnership, we can share knowledge, strengthen regulatory approaches and support the effective delivery of new nuclear capacity across all three countries”.