December 5, 2022 – Framatome announced today two new contract awards with NuScale Power to design fuel handling equipment and fuel storage racks for NuScale’s VOYGRTM small modular reactor (SMR) power plant.
“These awards build on our partnership as NuScale’s fuel assembly supplier and signify an important opportunity with NuScale and its industry-leading VOYGR plant,” said Catherine Cornand, senior executive vice president of the Installed Base business unit at Framatome. “We are deeply rooted in the nuclear industry with proven expertise to assist in developing the next generation of advanced nuclear plants for a transition to clean energy.”
Framatome is partnering with American Crane to design the fuel handling equipment that will transport fuel assemblies within the NuScale plant. The features of the VOYGR fuel handling equipment will build on proven Framatome designs with additional enhancements to fully perform remote fuel handling.
Framatome is also partnering with Orano to adapt high-density spent fuel rack designs to address the unique requirements of the VOYGR plants. Utilizing experience from fuel rack designs across the nuclear industry, Framatome and Orano will bring best-in-class teams to ensure optimized design and subsequent fabrication in support of NuScale’s construction schedules.
“NuScale is proud to strengthen our relationship with Framatome, a renowned and widely respected international leader in nuclear energy,” said Dale Atkinson, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nuclear Officer. “This agreement showcases how NuScale’s technology is meticulously developed with a premier international nuclear design and fabrication organization.”
These awards build on the support that Framatome provides for NuScale related to engineering services and licensing analyses required for standard design approval by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Through these and similar contracts, the NuScale and Framatome partnership continues to strengthen and will last through construction of VOYGR plants. VOYGR plants will provide an array of flexible power options to meet diverse energy needs around the world. NuScale’s SMR represents the next wave of nuclear reactors.
This award enables Framatome to continue its expertise in component design for the SMR market and positions its team to be the leading nuclear service provider for the small modular and advanced reactor fleet of 2050.