Future nuclear power plant with SMR from Doicești: NuScale obtained design approval in the US for the 77 MW module to be installed in Romania

NuScale Power Corporation, a leading provider of innovative advanced nuclear technology based on small modular reactors (SMRs), today announced that it has received design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its new 250 MWt (77 Mwe) NuScale Power modules, NuScale said in a press release.

“The NRC’s approval of the expansion of NuScale’s SMR technology now strengthens ENTRA1 Energy’s ability to produce and deliver power as the U.S.’s earliest-ever SMR solution, through ENTRA1 Energy Plants utilizing NuScale’s SMR technology. ENTRA1 Energy is NuScale’s partner and independent power plant development platform, with exclusive rights to market, distribute and deploy NuScale SMRs globally,” the company said.

The U.S. regulator’s approval of the expansion increases the module’s generation capacity from the previously approved 50 MWe design, enabling ENTRA1 plants to deliver reliable, carbon-free power to a broader range of customers. NuScale remains the only SMR technology company with NRC design approval and remains on track to deploy by 2030, according to the company.

“We are delighted that the NRC has approved our second Standardized Design Application (SDA), this time for the 77 MWe design. This is a historic moment not only for NuScale, but for the entire industry as we and ENTRA1 move closer to meeting the growing demand for clean energy.

For over a decade, our team has worked with the NRC to secure design approvals. The NRC is recognized nationally and internationally for its rigorous safety standards, and this approval is a crucial step toward our goal of delivering clean, reliable and, most importantly, safe energy,” said John Hopkins, president and CEO of NuScale.

The first design certification application (DCA) for NuScale’s 160 MWt (50 MWe) SMR design was accepted by the NRC in March 2017, and the NRC subsequently confirmed approval of the 50 MWe design – the first SMR design to receive this approval.
Nuclearelectrica welcomed the moment

As this type of SMR is the one to be located in the future nuclear power plant in Romania, Nuclearelectrica welcomed the moment.

“Nuclearelectrica welcomes the announcement made by NuScale Power regarding the approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the standard design of the 250 MWt (77 MWe) NuScale small modular reactor. The decision confirms that this technology meets all the safety requirements set out in US legislation and marks an essential milestone on the road to the concrete implementation of SMRs.

For Romania and the Doicești project, based on NuScale technology, this moment represents a major technological validation and a confirmation of the strategic direction assumed together with our US partners. By developing small modular reactors, Romania consolidates its position as a regional leader in the energy transition, contributing to energy security, decarbonization of the energy system and the development of the nuclear industry with added value”, announced the Romanian company.

SMR Project in Romania

The Doicești nuclear power plant would be equipped with six small modular reactors (SMRs) with technology developed by NuScale, with a total capacity of 462 MW, on the site of the former coal-fired power plant, which was initially purchased by Nova Power and Gas, controlled by businessman Teofil Mureșan, who entered into a joint venture with Nuclearelectrica in the company RoPower Nuclear to develop the project. The plant would be completed after 2030, and the costs are not yet known.

“For SMRs, we are in FEED 2, so it is the detailed study stage and, in an optimistic calendar, at the end of the year, if not, sometime during next year, we will have all the necessary data to make the final investment decision. So, we will know exactly how much it costs, who the possible partners are, who is putting up the money and to what extent Romania can take this project to the end. And that is where Fluor is involved. NuScale is the American technology majority owned by the Fluor company. It is a Texas company, very solid and, by the way, these collaborations were started in the first Trump administration. So, I think we will have the support of the American side”, said Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja at the beginning of March.
The Americans from NuScale expect the Doicești SMR plant to have a final investment decision next year

Last year, on July 24, SN Nuclearelectrica SA and RoPower Nuclear announced the signing of the Front-End Engineering and Design Phase 2 (FEED 2) contract of the contract with Fluor Corporation.

The collaboration between Nuclearelectrica, RoPower Nuclear, Nova Power & Gas (part of the E-INFRA group), Fluor, Samsung C&T Corporation and Sargent & Lundy will facilitate the development and implementation of NuScale small modular reactor (SMR) plants in Romania, leveraging the expertise of these companies in the field of nuclear energy. According to the FEED phase 2 contract, Fluor undertakes to provide RoPower Nuclear with the design and engineering services necessary for the implementation of the Doicești SMR nuclear project, according to a press release from SNN, submitted at the time to the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

At the end of the FEED 2 phase, Romania will have an updated cost estimate for the project, an updated project schedule, as well as the design and all the nuclear safety and security analyses related to the project, necessary for the final investment decision. The SMR plant using NuScale technology will generate almost 200 permanent jobs at the plant, 1,500 jobs during the construction phase and 2,300 jobs in production. The Doiceşti SMR plant will help Romania avoid 4 million tons of CO2 emissions per year.