Rolls-Royce SMR Brings BWXT Onboard to Develop Steam Generators for Small Nuclear
Rolls-Royce is a longtime power generation equipment firm which is working to develop small modular reactor (SMR) designs for future nuclear power projects.
BWX Technologies (BWXT) is now contracted by Rolls-Royce SMR with a memorandum of understanding on a design contract for a nuclear steam generators to fit with Rolls-Royce’s reactor project. BWXT Canada has produced hundreds of stream generators for nuclear projects worldwide.
Many companies, both established and startups, are working in the SMR space as data centers and Big Tech firms demand power load growth balanced with sustainability. Legacy firms such as GE-Hitachi and Rolls-Royce are developing future designs, as are newer companies such as X-energy, NuScale Power, Transcend, TerraPower and others.
The Rolls-Royce SMR is a pressurized water reactor capable of producing 470 MW. Each reactor utilizes three steam generators.
“The agreement with BWXT for the design of the nuclear steam generators – reinforced by an MoU to support the first units in a global fleet of Rolls-Royce SMRs – is another major stride forward for our organization,” said Ruth Todd, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Operations and Supply Chain Director. “Sourcing these critical components from world-leading suppliers is part of our ‘designed for delivery’ approach - combining modularization and proven nuclear technology - significantly reducing cost, construction time and removing project risk.”
The MoU involves Rolls-Royce SMR’s willingness to procure steam generators for multiple reactor units from BWXT and the development of a localization plan for future manufacturing work and other activities to support the Rolls-Royce SMR deployment in the global market.
Rolls-Royce SMR consists of multiple SMR commitments in Europe, having been selected as preferred bidder in the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR competition, and by European utility, CEZ, to build up to 3 GW of new nuclear power in the Czech Republic.
In 2024, BWXT Canada announced a $57.4 million expansion of its Cambridge, Ontario, manufacturing facility, which will increase capacity, improve productivity and create more than 200 jobs for workers, engineers and support staff in the area.