GE Vernova’s Nuclear business, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), has established a group of qualified supply chain companies to advance the global deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR). The purpose of the supplier group is to help ensure a reliable, cost effective and innovative process for the manufacture and commercialisation of the BWRX-300. Suppliers who meet pre-defined criteria, customer requirements and demonstrate a willingness to invest in BWRX-300 supply chain capabilities are eligible for selection to the group. The first company to join the group is BWXT Canada Ltd, a subsidiary of BWX Technologies.
The BWRX-300 is currently under design by GE Vernova’s nuclear business, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH). The 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems leverages the design and licensing basis of GEH’s ESBWR which has US Nuclear Regulatory Commission certification. As a result of design simplification, GEH claims the BWRX-300 will require significantly less capital cost per MW compared with other SMR designs. GEH says the BWRX-300 is being designed to reduce construction and operating costs below other nuclear power generation technologies. It will leverage a combination of existing fuel, plant simplifications, proven components as well as a design based on an already licensed reactor.
The supplier group aims to ensure a reliable, cost effective and innovative process for the manufacture and commercialisation of the BWRX-300. Suppliers who meet pre-defined criteria, customer requirements and demonstrate a willingness to internally invest in BWRX-300 supply chain capabilities are eligible for selection to the group.
BWXT is already engaged with GEH on an engineering contract for its BWRX-300 reactor pressure vessel for Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Darlington New Nuclear Project. OPG, GEH, AtkinsRéalis and Aecon Construction Group have entered a contract to construct the first BWRX-300 at OPG’s Darlington site. The Province of Ontario is working with OPG on planning and licensing for three additional BWRX-300s at the Darlington site.
In the UK, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has awarded GEH a £33.6m ($ UK Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF) grant to help accelerate regulatory acceptance of the BWRX-300, which has entered the Generic Design Acceptance process. In Poland, the government has announced decisions-in-principle supporting the construction of 24 BWRX-300 SMRs at six sites.
John MacQuarrie, President of BWXT Commercial Operations, said, “The anticipated global demand for nuclear power was a significant factor in our recent decision to expand our Cambridge manufacturing facility, where we design and manufacture large and heavy nuclear components. Our plans to increase the site’s manufacturing capacity by 50 percent for large components and to invest in advanced manufacturing equipment over the next few years will further position our business to help deliver the BWRX-300 and other reactor technologies for our customers around the world.”
GEH Jay President & CEO Wileman said supplier collaboration “is expected to help build capacity and support cost reduction, project schedule goals and scalability as we deploy the BWRX-300 globally”. He praised BWXT Canada for “standing firmly behind the BWRX-300 by making commitments and investing in its facilities and supply chain to be best positioned to compete for projects, further bolstering Ontario’s nuclear supply chain”.
Maví Zingoni, CEO of GE Vernova’s power businesses, said, “We are excited about the technical advancements and capacity that is expected to be unlocked through the BWRX-300 qualified supplier group. We look forward to expanding the group of qualified suppliers to other companies who share a strong commitment to collaborate around a long-term vision for the deployment of the BWRX-300.”
Image (L-R): Darion Jeralds, Chief Procurement Officer, GEH; Jay Wileman, President & CEO, GEH; John MacQuarrie, President, Commercial Operations, BWXT; Kimberly Perry, Nuclear Supply Chain Leader, GEH (courtesy of GE Vernova)
