Details: The companies are proposing that as many as four SMR-300 units be deployed at the Cottam site, generating approximately 1.3 GW of electricity. The project would use the existing grid infrastructure from the old coal station, repurposed to support the advanced reactors.
The venture’s development stands to benefit from the U.K. government’s Advanced Nuclear Framework, which is designed to “support the development, commercialization, and deployment of private innovative nuclear projects within the UK energy system.”
Holtec points out that it and EDF “are advancing a market-led approach to deliver new nuclear generation by leveraging private investment, proven technology, existing infrastructure, and decades of UK operational experience.”
Long-standing partnership: Holtec and EDF have a history of corporate cooperation spanning more than three decades. At last week’s signing of the joint SMR proposal with EDF Chief Financial Officer Rob Guyler, Holtec President Rick Springman observed, “Our long-standing partnership with EDF, combined with the opportunity created by the UK’s Advanced Nuclear Framework, provides a strong foundation for advancing SMR-300 deployment at Cottam. This submission represents an important milestone for the project and for advanced nuclear energy in Great Britain. Holtec plans to substantially expand its presence in the UK with a significantly larger operation center and is evaluating a manufacturing plant to build nuclear equipment in the country.”
EDF UK Chief Executive Officer Simone Rossi added, “We are delighted to be working with Holtec International on the development of small modular reactors in the UK. The Cottam project supports the UK government’s ambition to expand nuclear capacity and will facilitate significant re-development of a region that has given so much to the UK through its coal heritage.”
Second-of-a-kind: Holtec recently completed the U.K. government’s Generic Design Assessment process for the SMR-300—the government’s verification of the safety, security, and environmental adequacy of the SMR-300 advanced reactors. This lays the regulatory foundation to build the units at the Cottam site, which would represent the second deployment of the SMR-300.
Holtec is planning the first deployment of the SMR-300—the twin “Pioneer” units—at its Palisades Energy site in Michigan, in a joint venture with Hyundai Engineering & Construction. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently preparing an environmental impact statement for these first-of-a-kind units.
