Estonia to assess Rolls-Royce consortium SMRs

The study will include grid suitability, cooling, emergency planning, human resources, licensing feasibility, economics and supply chain.

Comment: SMRs will supercharge UK’s net zero ambitions

Rolls-Royce is leading a consortium in the design of SMRs that will be composed of standardised, factory-made components that can then be assembled rapidly inside a weatherproof canopy on site to avoid disruptions to the building schedule. Rolls-Royce said the consortium is working with its partners and UK government to secure a commitment for a fleet of SMRs that would be operational within a decade and provide at least 440MW of electricity each.

In a statement, Tom Samson, interim CEO of the UKSMR consortium, said: “Nuclear power is central to tackling climate change, economic recovery and energy security. To do this it must be affordable, reliable and investable and the way we manufacture and assemble our power station brings its cost down to be comparable with offshore wind. It also stimulates jobs and growth and with the flexibility to power alternative low carbon fuels manufacture as well as providing grid power, it is the best option for underpinning decarbonisation strategies around the world.