GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) and Fortum have entered into an Early Works Agreement (EWA) to advance potential deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) in Finland and Sweden.
Fortum completed a nuclear feasibility study in March and selected the BWRX-300 as one of three technologies being considered for potential deployment in both countries. The other two were Westinghouse and EDF, both of which signed EWAs with Fortum in June. These will encompass early project planning, site and design adaptation, and targeted licensing and permitting activities, including the continuation of pre-licensing dialogue with Nordic nuclear safety authorities.
GVH and Fortum, through the EWA, will work on pre-licensing and engineering activities for site adaption in Finland and Sweden with potential BWRX-300 deployment in the second half of the 2030s.
“After diligently evaluating several aspects of SMR technologies over the past two years Fortum concluded that the BWRX-300 is a technology for potential deployment in Finland and Sweden,” said Nicole Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer, GVH. “We have a long history supporting the nuclear industry in the Nordics and we look forward to working with Fortum as it continues to develop its capabilities for new nuclear.”
The 300 MWe BWRX-300, a 10th generation design, builds on decades of real-world boiling water reactor operating experience and innovation, using a standard design, a proven delivery model and GVH’s experience with cross-border regulatory collaboration.
In May, the Province of Ontario and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) approved construction of the first BWRX-300 at OPG’s Darlington site near Toronto. A total of four BWRX-300s are planned for the site with construction of the first unit expected to be complete by the end of the decade.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), also in May, submitted an application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to construct the first BWRX-300 in the US at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
