GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Fermi Energia Advance Small Modular Reactor Technology Cooperation March 08, 2021

North Carolina: GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and Fermi Energia OÜ have advanced their technology collaboration by entering into a teaming agreement to support the potential deployment of a BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) in Estonia.

Through the teaming agreement GEH expects to support Fermi Energia in key areas such as licensing, human resources and supply chain development as well as continued development of the information and analysis needed for potential deployment of the BWRX-300 in Estonia. GEH and Fermi Energia, an Estonia-based company established by nuclear industry professionals, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2019 in which the companies agreed to examine the economic feasibility of deploying a BWRX-300 SMR in Estonia.

“This teaming agreement further strengthens our relationship with Fermi Energia as it works to help Estonia fulfill its energy security and climate goals,” said Jon Ball, Executive Vice President for GEH. “We believe the innovative BWRX-300 SMR is an ideal solution for Estonia’s carbon-free energy needs and we look forward to continuing our work with the Fermi Energia team.”

“Through this agreement GEH and Fermi Energia will extend the excellent cooperation that started with our 2019 MOU,” said Kalev Kallemets, CEO of Fermi Energia. “We look forward to continuing to develop in greater detail decision material for a credible National Spatial Plan and help Estonia meet climate goals while maintaining security of supply of energy for Estonians and the region.”

The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GEH’s U.S. NRC-certified ESBWR. Through dramatic and innovative design simplification, GEH projects the BWRX-300 will require significantly less capital cost per MW when compared to other SMR designs.

By leveraging the existing ESBWR design certification, utilizing the licensed and proven GNF2 fuel design, and incorporating proven components and supply chain expertise the BWRX-300 can, GEH believes, become the lowest-risk, most cost-competitive and quickest to market SMR.