GE Vernova advances UK SMR development with new supplier agreements

GE Vernova advances UK SMR development with new supplier agreements
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Feb 16, 2025

GE Vernova's nuclear division, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), has taken a significant step forward in its efforts to deploy Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the UK. The company has signed new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading UK nuclear engineering firms Boccard and Cavendish Nuclear to enhance collaboration on the development and delivery of the BWRX-300 SMR.

These agreements reinforce GEH's strategy of strengthening partnerships with the UK supply chain to support Great British Nuclear's (GBN) ongoing SMR selection process. The latest MoUs build on prior agreements with Aecon, AtkinsRealis, Jacobs, and Laing O'Rourke, aiming to bolster local expertise in the construction and operation of advanced nuclear technologies.

"These MoUs with Boccard and Cavendish Nuclear strengthen our commitment to working with the UK nuclear supply chain to deliver our BWRX-300 SMR technology in the UK. We are proud to be working alongside these industry-leading companies, demonstrating our dedication to providing the UK with scalable, cost-effective clean energy solutions," said Andy Champ, GE Hitachi UK Country Lead.

"By combining their expertise with our extensive experience working in partnership with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) on the Darlington project in Canada, we're well positioned to reliably deliver this technology for the best value for money. We look forward to continuing our work with both the supply chain and GBN to make nuclear energy a key enabler of Britain's clean energy future."

Boccard UK's Managing Director, Douglas McQueen, highlighted the company's enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "Boccard UK welcome the announcement regarding to the signing of this MOU with GE Vernova. Our state-of-the-art UK fully digitalised nuclear manufacturing facility in North Wales supported by our engineering and project management teams will bring exceptional levels of quality and value to the Nuclear New Build program. Our Digital Manufacturing controls delivered via our bespoke software 'BocTrack ', will deliver a faster route to commercial market, not only SMRs, but also GW Generating stations which are pivotal to the UK's major decarbonising program. We look forward to the ongoing collaboration with GE Vernova at this exciting time in the energy sector."

Cavendish Nuclear Managing Director Mick Gornall added, "Cavendish Nuclear is delighted to continue to deepen our relationship with GEH; building on our current manufacturing studies to underpin credible UK supply chain options for the Reactor Pressure Vessel and other key components."

The agreement with Cavendish Nuclear, a subsidiary of Babcock International, builds on ongoing work in advanced manufacturing and operational readiness under the UK Government's Future Nuclear Enabling Fund. Additionally, Cavendish Nuclear is already supporting the regulatory approval of the BWRX-300 through the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process.

GEH, in partnership with OPG, is advancing the development of the first BWRX-300 at OPG's Darlington site near Toronto. This project is expected to become the first commercial SMR in a G7 nation. With early site preparation completed, construction of the first unit is set to commence later this year, pending regulatory approval. The first reactor is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2029, with a total of four 300 MW units planned for the Darlington site.

With a long-established presence in the UK, GE Vernova operates four manufacturing facilities and provides technology that powers over 30% of the nation's electricity. The company has been actively fostering local engagement in SMR development, having hosted a supply chain conference in Sheffield in April 2024, attended by more than 150 UK businesses.

Further bolstering its UK operations, GEH secured a Pounds 33.6 million grant from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in January 2024 through the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund. Alongside this grant, GEH formally entered the GDA process for the BWRX-300, marking another milestone in the UK's clean energy transition.