The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved NuScale Power’s advanced Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design that supports an output of 250 megawatts thermal (MWt) or 77 megawatts electric (MWe). This marks the second design from NuScale to receive such certification from the NRC.
The NRC’s approval enhances the operational capacity of ENTRA1 Energy, NuScale’s exclusive global strategic partner. ENTRA1 Energy, which holds global commercial rights for NuScale’s SMR technology, can now advance energy production and delivery using the certified design. This approval increases the power output per module from the previously certified 50MWe design, broadening the scope for providing reliable, carbon-free energy to a diverse range of consumers.
NuScale’s initial design, a 160MWt (50MWe) module, received NRC approval in March 2017, making it the first SMR design to be certified by the US regulatory body. The recently approved 77MWe design maintains the same fundamental safety features as its predecessor, with enhancements to meet growing energy demands. Originally expected later this summer, the NRC’s review process concluded earlier than anticipated, allowing for an accelerated timeline.
NuScale president and CEO John Hopkins said: “We are thrilled that the NRC has approved our second SDA application, this time for our 77MWe design. This marks a historic moment not only for NuScale, but the entire industry, as NuScale and ENTRA1 move closer to meeting the demands of clean energy users.
“For more than a decade, our team has proudly worked alongside the NRC to achieve the successful approval of our designs. The NRC is domestically and internationally recognised and respected for its rigorous safety standards, and this approval is a crucial step toward meeting our goal of providing clean, reliable, and, most importantly, safe energy to off-takers and consumers.”
Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation specializes in advanced SMR nuclear technology. The company’s NuScale Power Module, a compact and safe pressurised water reactor, generates 77MWe per module and can be configured in arrays up to 924MWe to accommodate various customer needs. Deployment of this technology is targeted for completion by 2030.
