X-energy advances UK reactor review

• Centrica and X-energy’s Xe-100 advanced small modular reactor entered the UK Generic Design Assessment process.
• The regulatory review is expected to take about three years before potential commercial licensing.
• The companies plan to develop up to 6 GW of new UK nuclear capacity through Xe-100 deployments.

X-energy (NASDAQ:XE) and Centrica announced that the UK regulator accepted the Xe-100 advanced small modular reactor into the Generic Design Assessment process, moving the technology closer to potential UK commercial licensing.

The review follows a UK government direction for regulators to begin assessing the reactor design and will be conducted by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales.

The companies said the Generic Design Assessment process is expected to take about three years and will review the Xe-100 design’s safety, environmental impact, and regulatory requirements for UK deployment.

Under their partnership, X-energy and Centrica intend to deploy up to 6 GW of new nuclear capacity in the UK, representing an estimated 10–20 Xe-100 power stations, beginning with an initial project at Hartlepool.

The companies said the UK regulatory submission builds on X-energy’s licensing progress in the United States and could benefit from collaboration with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

X-energy develops advanced small modular reactor technology, including the Xe-100 reactor, which uses a high-temperature gas-cooled design intended for electricity generation and industrial applications.

The company has been pursuing regulatory approvals and commercial partnerships across international markets as governments evaluate additional nuclear power capacity.