Labour’s small modular reactor strategy looks hopeless as Chinese prototype barely hits 20% productivity and French blow cold on whole thing

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From the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists on 25 September 2026:

Many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, are gripped by a frenzy of enthusiasm for small modular reactors (SMRs). But France does not buy into the hype. Despite remaining staunchly pro-nuclear, with the world’s largest share of electricity generation from nuclear reactors at nearly 70 percent, France gives SMRs only limited, conditional support, treating them as what they are: emerging technologies whose promised advantages have yet to be demonstrated at a commercial scale.

and:

These projects do not prove the broader SMR case of efficient deployment: So far, most have faced delays, and the operating record is sparse. Available data from existing reactors show disappointing annual load factors below 21 percent for the Chinese HTR-PM in 2024 and around 30 percent on average for the Russian floating reactor. 

Source: https://thebulletin.org/2026/09/why-the-worlds-top-nuclear-nation-is-sitting-out-the-hype-on-small-reactors/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The%20top%20nuclear%20nation%20sitting%20out%20the%20SMR%20hype&utm_campaign=20260928%20Monday%20Newsletter

As recently as March 2026, The Labour Government confirmed:

As set out in further detail in chapters 2 to 7, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactor will:

• deliver significant climate benefits

• provide significant socio-economic benefits to the UK

• present only a very limited potential health detriment

• generate waste streams that can be safely managed and disposed of with a low level of detriment • have an environmental impact that will be minimised and remains within acceptable limits

• not pose significant safety, security, or safeguarding risks

Source: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=aa2c604757ece3ced90d470d85d80f876b3ffa0268fed299b1f94d491cbad64eJmltdHM9MTc5MDU1MzYwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=040f0c0f-8f6f-69bb-36d4-18948ed46872&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ292LnVrL2dvdmVybm1lbnQvcHVibGljYXRpb25zL251Y2xlYXItanVzdGlmaWNhdGlvbi1hcHByb3ZlZC1mb3Itcm9sbHMtcm95Y2Utc21hbGwtbW9kdWxhci1yZWFjdG9y

I bet that was thorough. Productivity, chaps? 100%, not like that Chinese one eh? What do they know?

French reserve? Bloody fr…….

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One thought on “Labour’s small modular reactor strategy looks hopeless as Chinese prototype barely hits 20% productivity and French blow cold on whole thing”

  1. SMR’s, like Fusion, are en years away from actually working in the field not just in the laboratory.

    As was the case in the 6’s, the 70’s the 80’s …

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