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Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of new nuclear power stations

Office for Nuclear Regulation Environment Agency Natural Resources Wales

These web pages have been produced by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). These regulators are working together to ensure any new nuclear power stations built in Great Britain meet high standards of safety, security, environmental protection and waste management, through a process called Generic Design Assessment (GDA).

Before a new nuclear power station can be built and operated in Great Britain, in addition to the reactor design going through the GDA process, the proposed operator must obtain permission from regulators and government in the form of:

  • Site licensing and relevant consent to begin nuclear-related construction from ONR;
  • Environmental permits from Environment Agency or NRW; and
  • Planning permission from the Planning Inspectorate.

We have designed these pages so they are accessible to anyone with an interest in the GDA process, including the general public and other regulators. They also contain technical information for organisations submitting designs for GDA, which can be found in the assessment of reactors section.

Latest news

Holtec International Small Modular Reactor design completes first step of regulatory assessment - August 2024

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have announced today that they are progressing to the next step of their assessment of Holtec International's SMR-300 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design. The GDA will look to actively explore opportunities to maximise the value of international regulatory collaboration and identify efficiencies in processes.

Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor design completes second step of regulatory assessment - July 2024

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have announced today that they are progressing to the next step of their assessment of Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd’s 470 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design. The GDA will look to actively explore opportunities to maximise the value of international regulatory collaboration and identify efficiencies in processes.

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