GDA Step 2 of the GE Vernova Hitachi SMR: fundamental assessment
Fundamental assessment reports of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) Step 2 for the GE Vernova Hitachi small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station design.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
The Environment Agency, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and Natural Resources Wales (the regulators) have an assessment process which enables them to scrutinise new nuclear power station designs before they are built in the UK. This process is called Generic Design Assessment (GDA).
Step 1 of the GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC (UK Branch) GDA began on 25 January 2024. The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales completed Step 1 of the GDA on 12 December 2024 and issued a joint Step 1 statement, report of findings and a public summary on the GE Hitachi BWRX design. A version of the report in Welsh is published on the Natural Resources Wales website. ONR’s reports are published on the joint GDA webpages.
Step 2 of the GDA began on 12 December 2024. The regulators completed Step 2 of the GDA and issued their Step 2 statements and assessment reports on the GE Vernova Hitachi design on 11 December 2025. The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales Step 2 statement is published here, along with the assessment report and a public summary of the report. A version of the report in Welsh is published on the Natural Resources Wales website. ONR’s reports are published on the joint GDA webpages.
Any nuclear power station design company going through GDA is required to set up a GDA website and public comments process. The comments process is now closed. You can read documents about this design on the company’s website GE Vernova Hitachi website.
The GDA process is described in the GDA guidance for Requesting Parties.
For any questions about these reports, email: nuclear@environment-agency.gov.uk.