• Significant progress has been made in bringing GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology to market in the UK.

GE Vernova’s nuclear division, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), announced the successful completion of Step 1 in the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for its BWRX-300 SMR. The milestone marks the start of Step 2 in the regulatory process.

The GDA ensures reactor designs adhere to the highest safety, security, and environmental standards. Step 1, initiated in January 2024, focused on finalizing the scope and timeline for Step 2, which has now been launched.

Revolutionary Design with Proven Reliability

The BWRX-300 is GEH’s 10th generation SMR, integrating patented safety advancements with well-established technology. This modular reactor builds on decades of boiling water reactor (BWR) experience, employing a standard design and delivery model supported by GEH’s expertise in cross-border regulatory compliance.

The first BWRX-300 is under development at Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Darlington site in Canada. Early site preparations are complete, with construction slated to begin in 2025 and commercial operations expected by 2029. Plans include four 300 MW units at the site.

Strategic Partnerships and Global Impact

Andy Champ, GEH UK Country Leader, stated: “Advancing to Step 2 demonstrates our commitment to deploying a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors in the UK. Our collaboration with OPG ensures a thoroughly tested design, leveraging our comprehensive experience across the nuclear lifecycle.”

Chris Southern, GEH Senior Project Director, emphasized the importance of the milestone: “This achievement showcases our dedication to safely advancing SMR technology in the UK. The BWRX-300 offers a compact, simpler modular solution without compromising safety or performance, solidifying its feasibility in the UK energy landscape.”

Rafał Kasprów, CEO of ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE), praised the progress: “The successful transition to GDA Step 2 in the UK underscores the strength of GEH’s technology. Deploying BWRX-300 reactors across Europe minimizes risks, attracts investors, and optimizes existing infrastructure.”

OSGE is co-financing part of the BWRX-300 licensing as part of the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund project.

Local Collaboration and Future Growth

Jon Fowler, Vice President for Nuclear Power at Amentum, highlighted the achievement: “Reaching this stage in such a short time demonstrates the strength of our collaboration with GEH. This progress supports the UK’s goals for energy security and net-zero carbon emissions.”

GE Vernova’s extensive history in the UK includes four manufacturing facilities and technology that powers over 30% of the country’s electricity. GEH is further strengthening its UK supply chain for the BWRX-300 through partnerships with companies like Aecon, AtkinsRéalis, Amentum, and Laing O’Rourke.

In addition, GEH recently hosted a supply chain conference in Sheffield, attended by over 150 UK businesses, and continues discussions with Sheffield Forgemasters regarding their role in BWRX-300 deployment.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) is a globally focused energy enterprise comprising the Power, Wind, and Electrification divisions, complemented by its accelerator initiatives. With over 130 years of expertise addressing global challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely poised to drive the energy transition by advancing electrification while simultaneously pursuing decarbonization. The company empowers customers to fuel economies and ensure access to electricity, a cornerstone of health, safety, security, and enhanced quality of life. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., GE Vernova employs around 75,000 individuals across more than 100 countries. Guided by its mission, “The Energy to Change the World,” GE Vernova’s technology paves the way for a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.

Through its alliance with Hitachi, GE Vernova’s Nuclear energy division stands as a global leader in nuclear fuel bundles, services, and advanced reactor technologies. Its offerings include boiling water reactors and cutting-edge small modular reactors like the BWRX-300—one of the most straightforward and innovative designs in the field. The company’s nuclear fuel segment, Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), is a leading provider of boiling water reactor fuel and associated engineering services. Operated as a GE Vernova-led joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd., GNF functions primarily through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC in Wilmington, N.C., and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co., Ltd. in Kurihama, Japan.

The name “GE Vernova” reflects the company’s mission and values. “GE” upholds its legacy of quality and ingenuity. “Ver” and “verde” evoke images of Earth’s lush, green ecosystems, while “Nova,” derived from the Latin “novus,” signals the dawn of a new, innovative era of low-carbon energy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes forward-looking statements, which pertain to future events and involve varying levels of uncertainty. Such statements often discuss GE Vernova’s anticipated business and financial performance, the expected impact of its products and services, and their potential outcomes. Terms like “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range” frequently indicate such statements. They cover topics such as memoranda of understanding, anticipated outcomes of collaborative relationships, project proposals, bidding processes, government reviews, and the influence of macroeconomic and market conditions on the company’s operations, financial results, and supply chains globally.

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