McDermott signs on for potential Dutch Rolls-Royce SMR integration work

Supply-chain and systems integration focus

McDermott has agreed to support potential Dutch Rolls-Royce SMR-related projects through integration of small modular reactor-powered energy solutions with energy-intensive industrial processes. The cooperation is intended to combine McDermott’s experience in energy transition and industrial decarbonisation—covering low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel and carbon capture and utilisation—with ULC-Energy’s nuclear project development capabilities.

  • Integration of SMR-powered energy solutions with industrial processes, including hydrogen and ammonia pathways, sustainable aviation fuel and carbon capture and utilisation
  • Use of McDermott’s engineering design and cost input for balance of plant and heat integration systems, building on prior work with ULC-Energy

Follow-on to prior hydrogen study

McDermott and ULC-Energy previously collaborated in 2023 on a study of industrial-scale hydrogen production using a Rolls-Royce SMR power plant coupled with a Solid Oxide Electrolyser. ULC-Energy acted as project coordinator and McDermott provided engineering design and cost input for the balance of plant and heat integration systems, which the new cooperation is reported to build upon.

Partner network and SMR policy context

McDermott is joining ULC-Energy’s expanding network of strategic partners led by Rolls-Royce SMR. Other named partners in that network include Siemens Energy, BAM, Mammoet, Bureau Veritas, Urenco, Orano and Fugro, supporting delivery of SMR-powered energy solutions in the Netherlands and Belgium.

  • Named partner network includes Siemens Energy, BAM, Mammoet, Bureau Veritas, Urenco, Orano and Fugro

Netherlands new-build direction and SMR readiness

The agreement sits alongside reported Dutch policy moves. In December 2021, the Netherlands’ new coalition government placed nuclear power at the heart of its climate and energy policy, including keeping the Borssele plant in operation for longer and calling for construction of new reactors. Based on preliminary plans, two new reactors are expected to be completed around 2035, each with a capacity of 1000-1650 MWe. The government is also taking steps to prepare the Netherlands for possible SMR deployment.

  • Preliminary plans: two new reactors targeted around 2035, each rated 1000-1650 MWe
  • Government also taking steps toward SMR readiness

What Rolls-Royce SMR would deliver

Rolls-Royce SMR’s design is described as a 470 MWe small pressurised water reactor intended for consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years. About 90% of the design is expected to be built in factory conditions, with on-site activity mainly limited to assembly of pre-fabricated, pre-tested modules, a feature intended to reduce project risk and potentially shorten build schedules. In August 2022, Rolls-Royce SMR signed an exclusive agreement with ULC-Energy to collaborate on deployment of Rolls-Royce SMR power plants in the Netherlands.

EDF signs non-exclusive partnership framework with Technip Energies for EPR2 delivery

Partnership aims to support EDF’s EPR2 execution

EDF has announced a new non-exclusive agreement with Technip Energies tied to delivery of the EPR2 reactor programme.

The arrangement provides for Technip Energies to deploy experienced personnel into key operational roles within EDF, with the focus on the project and construction management process.

EDF says the model places these personnel into integrated teams working alongside EDF’s personnel, with the intent of strengthening execution discipline and improving schedule predictability across EDF’s nuclear new-build activities.

EPR2 rollout timeline and site sequence

The broader EPR2 programme outlined in February 2022 envisages six new EPR2 reactors, with an option for a further eight.

The first three pairs are proposed to be built, in order, at the Penly, Gravelines and Bugey nuclear power plant sites.

An earlier construction and commissioning target expected construction to start in 2027 with commissioning in 2035, but the commissioning target for the first reactor at Penly is now 2038, with subsequent units following at intervals of up to 18 months.

Supply chain and long-term cooperation theme

EDF stated that the agreement establishes a common foundation for long-term cooperation, enabling both companies to combine complementary capabilities and capitalise on lessons learned from large-scale industrial projects in support of EDF’s future nuclear developments.

In EDF’s description of roles within the partnership, it said the EDF Group brings reactor engineering mastery and an efficient supply chain dedicated to building EPR2s, while Technip Energies contributes complex project management skills.

The EPR2 reactor is described as a pressurised water reactor project developed by EDF and Framatome, designed to meet general safety objectives of the third generation of reactors and to incorporate design, construction and commissioning experience feedback from the EPR reactor, as well as operating experience from nuclear reactors currently in service.

RINA and Ansaldo Energia launch initiative to qualify non-nuclear suppliers for Italy’s nuclear supply chain

RINA and Ansaldo Energia have launched an initiative designed to bolster Italy’s nuclear supply chain. The effort targets companies that are not currently active in the nuclear sector but have transferable industrial capabilities, with the stated goal of expanding and strengthening Italy’s national industrial base.

The initiative is built around a structured pathway intended to help prospective suppliers prepare for the nuclear market. It includes preliminary assessments and gap analyses against international standards, followed by upgrade pathways to support companies as they work toward certification and qualification.

Under the initiative, RINA will support companies throughout the certification and qualification process. Ansaldo Energia will provide industrial expertise in the sector, share market requirements, and promote initiatives intended to support certification processes, including financial backing from institutions and public instruments for internationalisation and industrial development.

Ansaldo Energia CEO Fabrizio Fabbri said that strengthening the country’s industrial capacity is an essential step to enable Italian companies to seize opportunities in what he described as a rapidly growing nuclear market.

RINA CEO and General Manager Carlo Luzzatto said the initiative is intended to support companies on a structured qualification pathway, enabling them to progressively develop capabilities and meet requirements needed to operate in an industry defined by the highest regulatory, technological and safety standards. He added that combining RINA’s expertise with Ansaldo Energia’s industrial experience will help strengthen the competitiveness of Italy’s nuclear supply chain and improve its ability to capitalise on opportunities from both national and international nuclear programmes.

The Italian Nuclear Association expressed full support for the initiative, saying it is important to strengthen and coordinate a national nuclear supply chain and that it builds on expertise and industrial capabilities developed through significant projects abroad. The association also said the national asset must be further expanded and consolidated to respond to opportunities from new international projects and to a demanding nuclear programme expected to be launched in Italy in the coming months.

Companies interested in joining the initiative can find further information on the websites of RINA and Ansaldo Energia.

Context: Italy’s nuclear restart framework

Italy previously operated four nuclear power plants starting in the early 1960s, before phasing out nuclear power after a referendum following the 1986 Chernobyl accident. The country closed its last two operating plants, Caorso and Trino Vercellese, in 1990.

After the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011, the Italian government approved a moratorium of at least one year on construction of nuclear power plants. In a June 2011 poll, 94% of voters rejected construction of new nuclear reactors.

More recently, Italy’s Parliament approved a motion in May 2023 urging the government to consider incorporating nuclear power into the energy mix. The government has also established a National Platform for Sustainable Nuclear Power and progressed a bill delegating responsibility for the reintroduction of nuclear energy. The bill is now to be voted on by the Senate, with implementing legislative decrees due within 12 months of the law’s entry into force.