NuScale Builds Upon Unparalleled Licensing Progress With Second Standard Design Approval Application Submittal

On January 1, 2023, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) completed submission of a Standard Design Approval (SDA) application to the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its updated small modular reactor (SMR) design, which is based on a VOYGR-6 (6-module) configuration powered by an uprated 250 MWt (77 MWe) module. The design features the same fundamental safety case and totally passive safety features approved by the NRC in 2020, with a power uprate and select design changes to support customers’ capacity needs and further improve economics.

“On our journey to change the power that changes the world, NuScale has reached another critical regulatory milestone with the NRC,” said John Hopkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of NuScale Power. “Customers already appreciate that our SMR is unmatched in reliability and safety. Today’s announcement solidifies our technological superiority and does so within our previously stated commercialization timeline.”

In November 2020, through further value engineering efforts, advanced testing, and modeling tools, NuScale concluded that its technology could generate 25 percent more power per module for a total of 77 MWe per module (gross). Due to the higher power output, NuScale decided to seek approval of a six module, VOYGR-6 design, instead of the 12-module configuration that was in the previously approved design. Similar to power uprates at existing nuclear facilities, through increased analysis and supporting test data, NuScale has concluded that more power can be obtained from essentially the same NuScale Power Module that previously received NRC approval.

The NRC approved NuScale’s groundbreaking SMR design in 2020 with the issuance of their Final Safety Evaluation Report. The design remains the only SMR design application to be submitted to and approved by the NRC, marking a significant milestone for NuScale and the entire energy industry. That approval has set the stage for an efficient and effective review of the second SDA application, with NuScale establishing alignment with the NRC through a robust pre-application engagement and readiness review process.

All Parts of the application were submitted to the NRC on January 1, 2023, including the entire Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) and all technical reports, which are incorporated by reference into the FSAR. Three additional Licensing Topical Reports that serve as references to the FSAR, but are not incorporated by reference, are expected to be submitted by NuScale in the coming days.