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SGE Proposes Development of 4.2 GW SMR Fleet in UK

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Poland-based small modular reactor development platform SGE has filed an application under the UK's advanced nuclear framework for the development of a 4.2 gigawatt SMR fleet in Great Britain, it said on Thursday.

The proposed fleet's generation would meet 11% of UK power demand, equivalent to about eight million homes, for at least 60 years, the company said in a statement.

"SGE is presenting a privately financed, commercially-led investment, supported by strong delivery partners. SGE plans to deploy under a Contract for Difference framework with National Wealth Fund engagement, meaning there will be no charges to consumers prior to operations," the statement said.

As part of its plans, the company intends to build 14 GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 SMRs at three different multi-unit sites in the UK, with the first site expected to host six BWRX-300 units and the other two sites expected to follow in quick succession.

The company projects the entry of the project in the advanced nuclear pipeline in November this year and expects to complete site selection and government support scheme negotiations in H1 2027.

Within a year of that, it expects to begin work on major investment, site preparation and licensing. SGE is targeting commercial operation of the first unit for 2034.

The BWRX-300 reactor has been developed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, a nuclear technology joint venture between GE Vernova (GEV) and Japan's Hitachi.

The BWRX-300, which derives from technology used in 67 reactors, is under licensed construction in Canada and on track to become the first SMR to operate in the OECD.

It also completed the second step of the UK's Generic Design Assessment in December last year.

SGE has set up SGE SMR UK as its UK-based project company to support the programme.

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