Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a multi-million-dollar contract and memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canada-based BWX Technologies. The detailed design contract relates to nuclear steam generators for the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor (SMR).
The Rolls-Royce SMR design is a three-loop pressurised water reactor with an output of 470 MWe derived from 1,358 MWt. It is centred on modularisation of reliable and proven technology, allowing maximum use of the factory environment to combine standard components with advanced manufacturing techniques.
Rolls-Royce SMR is the only company with multiple SMR commitments in Europe In June, it was selected as the preferred bidder in the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) SMR competition. GBE-N) also plans to allocate a site and connect projects to the grid in the mid-2030s. A final investment decision is expected in 2029. Rolls-Royce SMR was also selected by European utility, ČEZ, to build up to 3 GWe of new nuclear power in the Czech Republic. ČEZ has taken a 20% shareholding in Rolls-Royce SMR.
BWXT subsidiary, BWXT Canada Ltd based in Ontario, has been producing high-quality steam generators for the nuclear industry for more than 60 years and has supplied more than 315 steam generators to plants around the world.
Ruth Todd, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Operations and Supply Chain Director, said: “Sourcing these critical components from world-leading suppliers is part of our ‘designed for delivery’ approach – combining modularisation and proven nuclear technology – significantly reducing cost, construction time and removing project risk. This is undoubtedly an important milestone, and there remain a huge range of opportunities for the supply chain to become involved and contribute to this transformational programme.”
The agreement includes development of a localisation strategy to support future manufacturing and related activities in the UK, Czech Republic and across Europe. This maximises opportunities for local suppliers to support jobs, growth and skills. Rolls-Royce is planning supplier days in both the UK and Czech Republic to support localisation.
