The conceptual design for the French Nuward small modular reactor (SMR) should be completed by the middle of 2026 with a detailed design ready in 2031 following a recent project pause, a company representative has said.

The Nuward project was launched in September 2019 by France’s Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, EDF, Naval Group and TechnicAtome. The plant consists of a 340 MW SMR plant with two pressurised water reactors (PWRs) of 170 MW each.

The technology was developed using France’s experience in PWRs. Nuward is a subsidiary of French state-owned nuclear power company EDF.

The technology is intended to replace carbon-dioxide-emitting coal, oil and gas plants and support other applications such as hydrogen production, urban and district heating or desalination facilities, according to EDF.