France's EDF drops plans to develop its own small nuclear reactor technology
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Electricite de France (EDF) is seen in front of cooling towers at the entrance of the nuclear power plant site, in Civaux, France, March 19, 2024. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo
By America Hernandez
PARIS - French state-owned utility EDF will switch to using existing technologies for the design of its small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) rather than continuing to develop its own innovations, the company said on Monday.
EDF did not say what the budget impact would be of the change, nor whether it would delay the rollout of its SMRs, which had been advertised as being ready for market in the 2030s.
EDF said that its SMR design subsidiary Nuward had reached the basic design phase, in which the engineering teams were able to study the complete model of the plant in more detail, and that at this point EDF had decided to "evolve the design".
"The reorientation consists of developing a design built exclusively from proven technological bricks. It will offer better conditions for success by facilitating technical feasibility," an EDF spokesperson said via email.
SMRs are smaller-sized nuclear reactors, billed as cheaper and quicker to roll out than full-size models, which can take decades to build.
They are primarily aimed at replacing coal-fired plants or providing localized electricity for small industrial sites or remote municipalities.
EDF's statement comes after French investigative outlet L'Informé reported, citing company sources, that the internal SMR design was being overhauled after encountering engineering difficulties, and that EDF would have to partner with other companies or use off-the-shelf technologies in order to avoid delays or budget overruns.
Nuward had received innovation-related state subsidies to develop its technology.
EDF has also signed agreements with companies across Europe to develop SMRs alongside conventional large reactors.
(Reporting by America Hernandez in Paris, Editing by GV De Clercq)