GE Vernova's nuclear business, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), has signed a series of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Aecon, AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs and Laing O'Rourke.

These arrangements mark another step forward in GEH's potential deployment of its BWRX-300 technology in the UK, as it continues to progress through Great British Nuclear's (GBN) ongoing small modular reactor (SMR) selection competition.

Aecon is the provider of construction services, including project management, construction planning and execution for Ontario Power Generation's Darlington New Nuclear Project while AtkinsRéalis is serving as architect and engineer for the project. Construction at Darlington is expected to start in 2025 with commercial operation to commence by the end of 2029. These MoUs enable GEH to leverage lessons learned from the project to enhance progress in the UK.

Additionally, GEH's ongoing collaboration with Jacobs can facilitate best-in-class design capabilities tailored to the UK environment while the MoU with UK-based Laing O'Rourke will see it support the development of the programme, drawing on its sector leading knowledge of modern methods of construction.

These agreements build on GEH's previously announced collaboration with Sheffield Forgemasters to discuss how the Sheffield-based company's forgings could help contribute to BWRX-300 deployment in the UK.