A powerful family dynasty of business people, the Madhvanis, are working with GE (General Electric) to bring small modular reactors (SMRs) to the UK, according to a report in the Telegraph.
The Indian family is working through an entity called Project Quasar which says on its website that it is “pioneering the first Modular Reactor for power generation in the UK to support an efficient power system and to contribute to mitigating climate change to reach the net-zero target well before 2050”.
It goes on to say the project, which it simply refers to as Quasar, “meets the challenge of long-term sustainable and flexible power generation, replacing ageing fossil-fired units, enhancing safety performance, and offering optimal economic affordability”.
The main image on Quasar’s website is a rendering of GE Hitachi’s proposed SMR for the UK (also seen above).
GE Hitachi was one of six firms shortlisted late last year for government support to deliver a new wave of nuclear reactors, with the shortlist also including Rolls Royce SMR, Holtec Britain, EDF, NuScale Power and Westinghouse Electric Company UK.
The Telegraph also reported that former UK Government chief nuclear advisor Adrian Simper was working as an advisor to the family. On his LinkedIn, Simper states his experience includes having worked as the chief scientist at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Simper was quoted in the Telegraph as saying: “The UK is an open market in terms of technology in a way that France, for example, isn’t.
“The second factor is we have a regulatory system that is very highly regarded internationally, so if you can deploy a reactor here you can have confidence you can deploy it anywhere in the world.”
He went on to say the proposed investment by the family and GE Hitachi was in the “billions of pounds” range.
In January 2024, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales started a two-step generic design assessment (GDA) of GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) design.
In June Great British Nuclear confirmed that its deadline for SMR developers to submit documentation to its competition was pushed back from 24 June to 8 July, due to the timing of the general election which since elected a Labour government.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Project Quasar and the Madhvani family, and GE were approached for comment.
Government approach to nuclear
Prior to being elected to power, Labour’s manifesto said it would: “End a decade of dithering that has seen the Conservatives duck decisions on nuclear power.
“We will ensure the long-term security of the sector, extending the lifetime of existing plants, and we will get Hinkley Point C over the line.
“New nuclear power stations, such as Sizewell C, and Small Modular Reactors, will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs.”
Reacting to the Labour’s manifesto commitment to SMRs, CND vice-president and science advisor Ian Fairlie called them “pipe dreams” and called for “a note of realism”.
Fairlie said: “Just because nuclear is in the Manifesto does not necessarily mean that Labour will follow up on it. Indeed, cynics often say the opposite is true.
“The fact that the UK is severely hard up as a result of Tory mismanagement means that any Labour spending plans will be subject to severe scrutiny by the Treasury.
“In the past, even under the Tories, the Treasury has always been shtum about financial commitments to new nuclear.
“It’s true the [Department for Energy Security and Net Zero] has continuously issued bullish press releases about new nuclear, and some money (a few millions when billions would be needed). But almost nothing from the Treasury.”
He also said that there have been “virtually no experssions of [investment] interest from the private sector on the proposed Sizewell C.”
Fairlie pointed to an article in the Times newspaper which quoted the Energy Transitions Commission chairman as having said that new nuclear is “too expensive”.
A US-based think tank has also recently released a report saying that SMRs are too expensive, too slow and too risky.
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