Company ‘on track’ to submit reactor construction application in 2027
European nuclear technology company newcleo has submitted nuclear safety programme details for its lead-cooled fast neutron nuclear reactor project to the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) and remains on track for the submission of a reactor construction application in 2027.
Stefano Buono, co-founder and chief executive officer of newcleo, said: “This major milestone is the result of years of engineering and R&D work, reinforced by a technical dialogue with the ASNR.”
Before applying for authorisation to build a nuclear facility in France, a project developer may submit all or part of the design of its nuclear installation to the ASNR, together with the safety approach, safety functions, structures, systems, components, or any other elements relevant to the proposed facility’s nuclear safety programme.
Newcleo said the ASNR’s independent review will enable it to identify safety improvements and to strengthen its application for authorisation to construct the facility.
Buono said that as newcleo prepares to apply for authorisation to build a nuclear power installation in 2027, it is also establishing a framework that will serve as a foundation for its interactions with other foreign nuclear safety authorities and to expand into additional markets.
The company has an R&D programme at the ENEA Brasimone Research Center in Italy, where it operates and is building 16 R&D facilities.
Non-Nuclear Mockup Under Construction
In parallel, to further analyse the operational characteristics of its future reactors, newcleo is building Precursor, a non-nuclear reactor mockup rated at 10 MW thermal with power conversion of approximately 3 MWe. Precursor is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 at Brasimone.
Newcleo said its long-term strategy is to develop and deploy advanced reactor technologies and facilities for multi-recycling of spent nuclear fuel, including certain highly radioactive wastes, with the associated reduction of spent nuclear fuel wastes being a significant benefit for future generations.
The company’s engineering team is working on the basic design of its LFR-AS-30 reactor. Newcleo’s LFR technology is designed to operate with recycled nuclear fuel, offering the promise of greater sustainability and reduced waste in nuclear energy production.
Lead-cooled nuclear plants are not yet operating, but are being developed as next-generation, or Generation IV, reactors. Lead has a very high boiling temperature of 1,749°C which means the problem of coolant boiling is for all practical purposes eliminated. This brings with it important safety advantages that also result in design simplification and improved economic performance.
In December newcleo submitted the safeguards part of its nuclear licensing process to Euratom as part of its steps towards obtaining a nuclear licence in France.
Euratom is the European Atomic Energy Community, which establishes a single market for the trade in nuclear materials and technology.
