The recent approval of the uprated 250 MWt (77 MWe) NuScale Power Module™ (NPM) by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is a historic moment for our company and our customers. This accomplishment is not just a regulatory milestone; it represents a commitment to reducing risk, optimizing processes, and ensuring future success for the customers we serve.
At NuScale, we recognize that regulatory achievements are more than compliance checkboxes. They embody our promise to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective nuclear energy. This approval underscores our focus on innovation and foresight, qualities that set us apart in an industry continually facing operational and financial challenges.
Learning from the Past to Shape the Future
If there’s one lesson the nuclear industry has learned, it’s that project outcomes are deeply rooted in the strength and maturity of a design. The Vogtle project, although groundbreaking in its scale, faced delays and cost overruns, partly due to a less mature design and an overabundance of unnecessary detail in the license. These factors resulted in numerous licensing changes during the deployment.
NuScale took note of these challenges early on. We invested time and resources into creating a design that is not only advanced in features, but also mature. In addition our team worked diligently to differentiate what truly matters to regulatory agencies, such as the NRC, from actions that may complicate and overburden the licensing process. By optimizing our approach to licensing, we have developed a standard design approval document that has a laser focus on safety while providing a clear path for future licensees to be compliant.
The optimized license documents provide the necessary licensing flexibility for our customers. The standard design approval application focuses primarily on the NuScale Power Module, which is factory-manufactured and transported to the plant site. The NPM is not expected to change from site-to-site, meaning changes are unlikely to be required to support deployment. Other aspects of the plant design lack detailed information in the approved design, as they do not have a high level of risk or safety significance. As a result, there is a greater level of flexibility in the license should a change be needed in the future.
This mature design approach does more than satisfy regulators. It aligns with the needs and priorities of our customers by mitigating risks that often derail similar projects.
Smart Choices, Customer-Focused Outcomes
A critical example of our customer-first strategy was our decision to pursue licensing under NRC Part 52 rather than Part 50. While both regulatory processes provide pathways to nuclear power deployment, Part 52 was the optimal choice for NuScale and our future customers.
Why? Because Part 52 allows for a consolidated and streamlined process, removing regulatory risk for our customers. Combining a standard design approval (SDA) with site data in the Combined License Application (COLA) streamlines the licensing steps that are required for deployment. The scope of review in a COLA is significantly reduced by referencing an SDA.
With Part 52, we’ve created a framework that makes COLA applications faster, lower risk, and more predictable for future customers. This means fewer surprises and greater reassurance for utilities and investors seeking to incorporate NuScale technology into their energy portfolios.
Proven Results, Solid Execution
Achieving the NRC uprate approval is just the latest example of our commitment to delivering results. From our original Design Certification Application (DCA) or the recently approved Standard Design Approval (SDA), NuScale has consistently proven that we can execute projects early, on time, and under budget. This track record is not historically common in the nuclear industry, where cost and schedule overruns have unfortunately become the norm.
Being early and on budget for these critical achievements highlights that our model works. It serves as a testament to the scalability and reliability of our process, offering our customers confidence that we will continue to deliver as promised.
A Commitment to the Energy Transition
This moment marks not just an achievement for NuScale, but a turning point for the nuclear energy sector. The NRC’s approval opens the door for the deployment of advanced clean energy solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change and energy security. For our customers, this milestone means they can trust in a technology that reduces uncertainty, minimizes financial risks, and accelerates their ability to provide clean, sustainable power.
Risk reduction isn’t just a phrase at NuScale; it’s embedded in everything we do. From our mature design to our streamlined regulatory strategy, we’ve taken every measure to ensure our technology will empower utilities around the globe to meet their energy goals effectively and efficiently.
We are proud to have worked with the NRC and to have met its stringent regulatory application process. We are thrilled to share this milestone with our customers and partners, and we look forward to continuing our work as a trusted leader in nuclear innovation. Together, we’re redefining what it means to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy and we remain steadfast in our mission to improve the quality of life for people around the world.
