EDF plans to bring in investors for Nuward small modular reactor project by end of 2026

French utility EDF said on July 30 that it plans to bring in investors for its Nuward small modular reactor project by the end of 2026. The company stated that the related financing arrangements will be centered around European customers and industrial partners to support the development of a batch of initial reactors better aligned with user needs.

Small modular reactors have not yet entered large-scale commercial production, but multiple companies worldwide are advancing the deployment of related technologies. Supporters believe that compared with traditional large nuclear power units, small modular reactors offer greater flexibility in deployment methods, application scenarios, and low-carbon energy supply.

EDF is a state-owned French power company operating 57 nuclear reactors, with nuclear power accounting for approximately 70% of France's total electricity generation. Previously, EDF abandoned its original design for Nuward due to concerns over excessive costs and subsequently redesigned the project.

According to previously disclosed targets, EDF plans to complete the conceptual design of the Nuward reactor by the end of 2026 and aims to deploy 30 small reactors by 2050. The Nuward reactor is expected to provide 400 MW of electrical power and 115 MW of thermal power, primarily targeting industrial users requiring stable baseload electricity and heat supply.

The first Nuward prototype reactor is expected to be commissioned in 2035. Thereafter, EDF plans to proceed at a pace of one reactor per year, building four units across two countries first. EDF has not disclosed the valuation of the Nuward project or the planned scale of financing.

Additional industry information indicates that EDF is seeking to promote the commercialization of the Nuward small modular reactor starting in 2029. Meanwhile, China has stated plans to launch commercial production of small modular reactors by the end of this year, and Westinghouse is also advancing a related demonstration project in Darlington, Canada.