European Commission approves OSGE and GE Hitachi application to establish the BWRX-300 working group

The Project Working Group will be established as part of the European Industrial Alliance for SMR, which the European Commission established in February this year. OSGE, along with 17 companies from 10 EU Member States and Norway, submitted the awarded application.

“The maturity of the design, combined with the steps taken by companies such as OSGE, allows us to conclude that BWRX-300 technology has the potential to be deployed in the EU in the early 2030s” – wrote the European Commission in the grounds for its decision passed to OSGE.

“The EC’s acceptance of our application and, foremost, the acknowledgement that the BWRX-300 SMR technology – a design based on proven technologies and with an existing supply chain in Europe – chosen by OSGE provide a viable basis to be built in the EU within the next 6-8 years is groundbreaking information and a milestone for our project”, said Rafał Kasprów, CEO of OSGE. “We would like to thank all partners who joined the group and actively supported the preparation of the proposal and we are looking forward to start working within the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs,” added Rafał Kasprów.

The awarded application submitted at the end of July had been prepared by OSGE in partnership with GE Hitachi – the designer of the BWRX-300 SMR technology and 16 members of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs representing 11 countries. All these partners are interested in developing or participating in the development process of the BWRX-300 on several levels in Europe. All have many years of experience in the energy market acting as developers, energy utilities, design and engineering companies with competencies to build a supply chain.

“The establishment of a BWRX-300 technology working group is another significant step in the deployment of our SMR technology in Europe,” said Sean Sexstone, Executive Vice President, Advanced Nuclear, GEH. “We look forward to working with these experienced team members to advance the BWRX-300.”

The European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) aims to facilitate and accelerate the development, demonstration, and deployment of SMRs in Europe by the early 2030s. It operates through specific working groups to improve enabling conditions for SMRs development, demonstration and deployment including the revitalization of the nuclear supply chain. Its activities aim to support specific SMR projects and accelerate their deployment on the European market.

Partners which have confirmed participation in the BWRX-300 working group are:

The working group aims to coordinate and accelerate efforts to build the BWRX-300 SMRs designed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC, by members of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs in various EU member states. The specific objectives cover a broad spectrum of issues: standardization of the technology licensing process in the EU countries, enabling the participation of EU-based suppliers in the supply chain (joint development of robust European supply chain) including preparation for building relevant competencies, creating an adequate support system for this type of investment and others.

The BWRX-300 is a cost-competitive solution designed by GE Hitachi, that can be deployed for electricity generation and industrial applications. Powered by proven and commercially available fuel, the BWRX-300 features an innovative and simplified configuration, resulting in less concrete and steel needed for construction. The BWRX-300 can be deployed for electricity generation and industrial applications, including hydrogen production, desalination, and district heating.

About OSGE

ORLEN Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) is a company established by ORLEN S.A. and Synthos Green Energy S.A. The company plays a leading role in the deployment of modular nuclear reactors in Poland, aiming to contribute to the effective decarbonisation of the power generation, heating and industrial sectors. OSGE’s mission is to build a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors designed by US company GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, which will become an important part of the country’s energy mix, providing households and industry with stable zero-carbon electricity.

For more information, visit www.osge.com and X (Twitter) platform @ORLEN_Synthos and LinkedIn.

Media contact:
Mariusz Ilnicki
+48 668 48 36 73
mariusz.ilnicki@osge.com