US-based nuclear technology company X-energy’s Xe-100 small modular reactor (SMR) has been accepted into the UK’s generic design assessment (GDA) process as plans progress for deployment of a UK advanced nuclear reactor fleet.

GDA acceptance formally triggers the process of assessing the Generation IV design’s acceptability for deployment and operation ahead of the technical and environmental evaluations required for site specific licensing and permitting.

The assessment is expected to take approximately three years and will be administered by the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.