EDF simplifies Nuward SMR design

The Nuward project was launched in September 2019 by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, EDF, Naval Group and TechnicAtome. The Nuward - consisting of a 340 MWe SMR plant with two pressurised water reactors (PWRs) of 170 MWe each - has been jointly developed using France's experience in PWRs. The technology is expected to replace old high CO2-emitting coal, oil and gas plants around the world and support other applications such as hydrogen production, urban and district heating or desalination.

According to Nuward's previously announced small modular reactor (SMR) roadmap, the detailed design and formal application for a new nuclear facility was scheduled to begin in 2026, followed by first concrete in France in 2030 with the construction of that first unit anticipated to take about three years.

However, in July 2024, state-owned EDF said that in response to feedback from potential European customers it planned to optimise the Nuward design, focusing on existing and proven technologies, in order to guarantee that project deadlines and budgets are met. Within days of that announcement, EDF withdrew its Nuward model from Great British Nuclear's SMR selection contest. At the time, an EDF spokesperson told World Nuclear News the company had decided "to pull out of the SMR competition due to incompatibility between the level of commitment and the time schedule required by GBN and the level of maturity of the Nuward SMR".

In a LinkedIn post, Nuward said: "The studies conducted in recent months have been decisive: Nuward has refined its SMR strategy to fully meet the expectations of the utilities and industry. The Nuward SMR will deliver 400 MW of power and offer an option for cogeneration, up to approximately 100 MWt. It will rely on well-known and perfectly mastered technological building blocks within the nuclear sector to offer a safe product adapted to market needs."

It added: "The added value of Nuward will be based on simplicity, modularity and prefabrication, with the aim of optimising competitiveness and construction times."

The company said the aim now is to finalise the conceptual design of the reactor by mid-2026 and "market a product for the 2030s", with a first-of-a-kind reactor built in France.

It said that to initiate this new phase of development, Julien Garrel, who was Deputy Director of EDF's Nuclear Fuel Division, has succeeded Renaud Crassous as Executive President of Nuward. Crassous had led the Nuward project since its creation in March 2023.

In a Linkedin post Crassous said he would be taking up the role of Deputy Director of the Nuclear Production Division within EDF, saying: "As I transition to my new role, I reflect on the incredible journey we've had at Nuward. Leading this innovative project has been a true honour and I am immensely proud of the progress we've made together. The value of the learnings we've gathered is immeasurable ... I look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of Nuward under Julien Garrel's leadership."