GE and Indian Dynasty Team Up for UK SMR Projects

11 Jul, 2024

GE and Indian Dynasty Team Up for UK SMR Projects

The Madhvani family dynasty from India is collaborating with GE (General Electric) to introduce small modular reactors (SMRs) to the UK, according to a report from the Telegraph. This venture, known as Project Quasar, aims to pioneer the first modular reactor for power generation in the UK. The project is designed to support an efficient energy system, contribute to climate change mitigation, and achieve the UK’s net-zero targets well before 2050.

Project Quasar focuses on delivering a sustainable, flexible power generation solution to replace aging fossil-fuel plants and improve safety performance. The initiative features GE Hitachi’s proposed BWRX-300 SMR, a design shortlisted for government support alongside other firms like Rolls Royce SMR and EDF. The collaboration also includes former UK Government chief nuclear advisor Adrian Simper as a consultant, leveraging his expertise in nuclear science and regulatory matters.

In January 2024, the Office for Nuclear Regulation and other agencies began a two-step generic design assessment of GE Hitachi’s SMR design. Despite political debates on nuclear energy’s future, Labour’s manifesto supports new nuclear projects, including SMRs, for energy security and job creation. However, there is skepticism about the feasibility of these projects due to financial and political challenges.