– Newcleo has signed a collaboration agreement with the French Alternative Energies & Atomic Energy Commission to work on the development of a 30-megawatt electric LFR reactor.
– The collaboration will focus on fuel qualification, calculation codes, nuclear materials, and instrumentation and measurement.
– The Nuclear Industry Association has applied for a justification decision for Newcleo’s LFR-AS-200 reactor, marking the first time a new nuclear design has been submitted for consideration in almost a decade.
Newcleo, a UK nuclear technology company, has partnered with the French Alternative Energies & Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) to develop a 30 megawatt electric LFR reactor by 2030 as part of the France 2030 investment plan. The collaboration will focus on fuel qualification, calculation codes, nuclear materials, and instrumentation and measurement. The use of Liquid Fluoride Reactors (LFRs) distinguishes this project from traditional water-cooled reactors, as LFRs utilize lead as a coolant, allowing for high-temperature operation without coolant boiling concerns, making them safer and more efficient.
The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) recently applied for a justification decision for Newcleo’s LFR-AS-200 reactor, marking the first new nuclear design submission in nearly a decade in the UK. This decision is the initial step to assess the benefits and drawbacks of introducing new nuclear technology in the country. While the decision does not authorize the project to proceed, it is a crucial phase in the regulatory process. This renewed interest in nuclear power reflects a global push towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.