SMP-160 with support from the USA and Ukraine
Holtec International has made progress on its work on its SMR-160 small modular reactor through agreements with Energoatom and Exelon Generation, announced during the Holtec SMR-160 Advisory Board Winter Meeting held on February 8 in Jupiter, Florida.
The SMR-160 is currently under review by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and is in the first phase of a three-phase assessment cycle. The State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine, the nuclear regulatory authority in Ukraine, is expected to coordinate the regulatory assessment of the SMR-160 under a joint agreement with its Canadian counterpart.
Energoatom President Yuriy Nedashkovsky announced plans to create a consortium with Holtec and the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine to study the environmental and technical feasibility of a mass-produced SMR-160 that could be built and operated at any site in the country „with absolute certainty for public health and safety.“.
At the same meeting, Holtec signed a memorandum of understanding with Exelon Generation, adding Exelon to the SMR-160 team, which currently includes SNC-Lavalin and Mitsubishi Electric.
Chris Mudrick, Exelon Generation Vice President, Northeast Operations, said: „As the largest nuclear operator in the United States, Exelon Generation is pleased to partner with Holtec to develop a commercial model of the SMR-160. This is a great example of how innovation and new technologies are bringing our industry together and driving the future of nuclear power.“
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, Exelon Generation plans to support the market penetration of the SMR-160, develop a common construction schedule and staffing planning, and assist in improving functionality and maintenance features. As the SMR-160 will be installed worldwide, Exelon Generation can provide reactor operation services to customers who do not have an established nuclear industrial infrastructure.
The meeting was chaired by the incoming Chair, Michael Rencheck, CEO of Bruce Power, Canada, and was attended by invited experts from several leading organizations, including Bruce Power, Energoatom, Entergy, Exelon Generation, Southern, Talen Energy, NEI, SNC-Lavalin, Mitsubishi Electric and several major suppliers. The international contingent consisted of business and technology leaders from Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.
