Estonian nuclear power plant : Fermi Energia selects GE Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR

Fermi Energia has selected GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR for the Estonian nuclear power plant, which is expected to be operational by the early 2030s.

The Estonian nuclear energy company said that the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) would be most suitable for construction in Estonia out of the three offers received.

The planning, design, and construction of the Estonian nuclear power plant will be based on the design and construction of the Darlington nuclear power plant near Toronto, Ontario.

Fermi Energia selects GE Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR for Estonian nuclear power plant. Photo courtesy of Fermi Energia.

Kalev Kallemets — Fermi Energia CEO said: “The BWRX-300 is in principle a boiling water reactor, which is used and well known by many European countries, including Finland and Sweden.

“However, the specific reactor model is much smaller than the ones used in the nuclear plants of our northern neighbors, which allows greater safety, lower cost, and shorter build time.

“At the same time, it is possible to rely on the experience of neighbors and offer the consumer clean electricity at an affordable and stable price.”

BWRX-300, with a power generation capacity of 300MW, is a new generation boiling water reactor.

Jay Wileman — GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy President and CEO said: “…our small modular reactor technology has been selected by Fermi Energia to help Estonia fulfill its energy security and climate goals.

“By leveraging a unique combination of existing fuel, plant simplifications, proven components and a design based on an already licensed reactor, the BWRX-300 offers cost-competitive zero-emission generation in a meaningful timeframe.”

Fermi Energia said the British company Rolls-Royce and the American company NuScale reached the final round of its technology selection for the Estonian nuclear power plant.