EDF of France Cancels Development of Small Nuclear Reactor Technology

EDF, a French state-owned utility, announced on Monday that it will be shifting to using existing technologies for the design of its small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) rather than continuing to develop its own innovations. This decision comes as EDF’s SMR design subsidiary, Nuward, reached the basic design phase, allowing engineering teams to study the complete plant model in more detail.

The company did not disclose the budget impact of this change or whether it would affect the rollout timeline of its SMRs, which were planned to be ready for market in the 2030s. EDF stated that by evolving the design to utilize proven technological components, they aim to increase the chances of success and simplify technical feasibility.

Small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs, are smaller in size compared to traditional full-size nuclear reactors and are perceived as more cost-effective and faster to deploy. They are intended to replace coal-fired plants or provide localized electricity for small industrial sites or remote municipalities. EDF’s decision to use off-the-shelf technologies for its SMRs follows reports of engineering difficulties within the internal design process.

Nuward, the subsidiary responsible for SMR design, previously received state subsidies for innovative technology development. EDF has established partnerships with companies across Europe to develop SMRs alongside conventional large reactors. This shift in approach may help EDF overcome challenges and avoid delays or budget overruns as it continues to move forward with its nuclear reactor projects.