Plans for small nuclear power plant get UK regulation boost

PLANS for a pioneering small modular reactor nuclear power plant in the Llynfi Valley have been boosted with completion of a preliminary design review (PDR) with UK regulators.

- SION BARRY Business editor [e-mail]

Last year US firm Last Energy revealed £300m investment plans for four 20 megawatt electric microreactors at the site of the former coal-powered Llynfi Power Station in Bridgend, which closed in 1977.

If delivered the Washington-based company said the site, which it has already been acquired, would generate 24/7 clean energy the equivalent of the annual power needs of 244,000 homes.

Each plant will have a design life of 42 years with an option for extension. ‘The micronuclear technology developer said its plant design, known as the PWR-20, has become the first in the UK to successfully complete a PDR.

‘The review was conducted by the UK's nuclear regulators; the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

The regulators’ joint summary report, which confirms successful completion of the review, marks a significant development in Last Energy's efforts to deploy the first commercial microreactor operation in the UK.

Completion of the process follows over a year of early engagement with the regulators and five months of PDR specific review, which included design workshops and technical submissions across selected topic areas.