The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved NuScale Power Corp.'s small nuclear reactor design. The approval was granted on Thursday for the company's 77-megawatt reactor design. NuScale Power, based in Portland, Oregon, previously received approval in 2020 for a smaller 60-megawatt version.
This earlier approval was a first for the industry. The current approval marks another significant step for small modular reactor (SMR) technology. SMRs are seen as a potential solution for cleaner and more efficient energy production.
The approval process involved rigorous safety reviews and technical assessments. NuScale's design is expected to offer enhanced safety features. It also promises increased flexibility in deployment compared to traditional large-scale nuclear power plants.