France-based nuclear start-up newcleo, along with Italian companies Pininfarina, and Fincantieri are displaying a full-scale model of its planned lead-cooled fast reactor for maritime applications at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. The reactor is still in the conceptual design stage.
Newcleo is developing a LFR-AS-200 small modular lead-cooled fast reactor. The company, launched in London in 2021, relocated its headquarters to Paris in October 2024 reflecting its “unwavering focus on growing its European presence and delivering its ambitious timelines and strategic projects”. These include development of a precursor reactor in Italy by 2026; construction of a prototype reactor in France by 2031; and delivery of commercial reactors starting from 2033. The final investment decision for the first commercial power plant is expected around 2029.
At the heart of the collaborative project, housed within Venice’s historic Corderie dell’Arsenale, is a full-scale reproduction of the TL-40 liquid lead-cooled nuclear reactor specifically engineered for powering large maritime vessels.
Since its establishment, newcleo has been very active in fundraising and signing partnership and collaboration agreements. Its business now counts over 90 partnerships, and more than 1,000 employees based in 19 locations across France, Italy, the UK, Switzerland, and Slovakia, including three manufacturing facilities.
While both the exhibit and newcleo’s website extol the virtues of the technology, there is scant detail of the nuclear technology that will power the reactor, although there appears to be some progress on non-nuclear component of the design.
Currently, the only operating liquid metal-cooled fast reactors are in Russia, using sodium as the coolant. Russia is also constructing the world’s first ever lead-cooled SMR (Brest-OD-300). This reactor is based on decades of complex research and development supported by the entire Russian nuclear industry. It is due to begin operation in 2029. By contrast, newcleo’s technologies remain in the very early conceptual design stage.
