UK Regulator Initiates Design Assessment of Xe-100 Reactor

The UK regulator has formally initiated the assessment of the Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor design proposed by X-energy, marking an important step for the UK in developing advanced nuclear technology. This decision follows the completion of a review by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the application from X-energy UK Holdings Limited. In the same period last year, Centrica signed a joint development agreement with an X-energy subsidiary, planning to deploy Xe-100 reactors in the UK and selecting Hartlepool in northeast England as the preferred site, with the potential to build up to 6 million kilowatts of nuclear power plant capacity in the future. The Generic Design Assessment (GDA) is a comprehensive assessment conducted by the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales of new reactor designs proposed for deployment in the UK, aimed at ensuring their safety, reliability, and environmental impact meet strict standards. This assessment is independent of site-specific construction applications, and only after passing all stages of assessment can the relevant permits and approvals be obtained.

2026-09-16