NuScale Selects Small Module Reactor Manufacturer

NuScale Power has announced the selection of Virginia-based BWX Technologies, to start the engineering work to manufacture NuScale’s small modular reactor (SMR).

The decision follows a rigorous 18-month selection process, where 83 companies based in 10 countries all submitted applications, to determine the best company to refine NuScale’s design for manufacturability, assembly, and transportability.

As quoted from the press release:

The first phase in bringing NuScale’s pioneering design to life. NuScale’s technology is the world’s first and only SMR to undergo Design Certification review by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is the country’s frontrunner to compete in the global SMR race, a market estimated by the Nuclear Energy Agency to be more than US$100 billion by 2035.

“BWXT’s established industry experience was important for us, and so was choosing an American company,” said John Hopkins, NuScale Power president and CEO. “Our technology will bring immense economic prosperity for people here at home, while improving the quality of life for those all across the world by providing resilient, carbon-free electricity.”

BWXT will immediately start work on this first manufacturing phase of NuScale’s SMR, which we expect will continue through June 2020. NuScale will contract for the remaining two phases, preparation for fabrication then fabrication, at a later date. BWXT is a leading supplier of nuclear components and fuel to both the U.S. government and commercial nuclear power industry. It expects to use Pennsylvania-based Precision Custom Components as a component manufacturing contractor on this project.

“Innovation is a core value at BWXT, and that’s why we are incredibly proud to be selected as a manufacturer for NuScale’s revolutionary technology,” said Rex Geveden, BWXT president and CEO. “NuScale’s unique SMR design can be factory-made and offers scalable power based on need. We are excited to work with NuScale to help make their groundbreaking design a reality.”

Click here to read the full announcement