Lessons learned from the recently cancelled NuScale-UAMPS project

The briefing analyzes the failure of the NuScale-UAMPS Carbon Free Power Project, attributing its cancellation to the inherent risks of first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects, a lack of modularity in the VOYAGR design, and the selection of a customer (UAMPS) ill-equipped for nuclear risk. Despite the project's end, the author notes that NuScale achieved significant regulatory milestones, including the first SMR design certification and reductions in staffing and security requirements. The document argues that FOAK SMRs should be treated as demonstrations rather than commercial endeavors, suggesting that governments provide streamlined prototype sites and cost-overrun insurance, while targeting non-utility customers like data centers and heavy industry who have a higher demand for 24/7 carbon-free power.

• The cancellation of the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP) was driven by the high risks associated with first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects and a mismatch between the technology and its first customer, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS). UAMPS lacked nuclear experience and operated in a market characterized by "cheap natural gas and growing wind deployment", making it unable to absorb the cost risks of a project that had not yet initiated the regulatory process.
• The VOYAGR design suffered from a lack of true modularity, which increased costs and reduced adaptability. Specifically, the requirement for a large pool to submerge the reactors created a "large, fixed cost regardless of the number of modules", meaning that reducing the project size from a 12-pack to a 6-pack of reactors was insufficient to offset rising marginal costs.
• Despite the project's failure, the CFPP process provided industry-wide benefits by securing the first-ever SMR design certification and obtaining regulatory reductions in security requirements, control room staffing, and Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ).

APA

Leipner, C., Murray, J.-M., Maxwell, A., & Botrel, M. (2023). Lessons learned from the recently cancelled NuScale-UAMPS project. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2023/11/lessons-learned-recently-cancelled-nuscale-uamps-project/

Chicago

Leipner, Carlos, Jon-Michael Murray, Andrew Maxwell, and Marcelo Botrel. Lessons learned from the recently cancelled NuScale-UAMPS project. Clean Air Task Force, 2023. https://www.catf.us/2023/11/lessons-learned-recently-cancelled-nuscale-uamps-project/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Leipner |first1=Carlos |last2=Murray |first2=Jon-Michael |last3=Maxwell |first3=Andrew |last4=Botrel |first4=Marcelo |title=Lessons learned from the recently cancelled NuScale-UAMPS project |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=22 November 2023 |url=https://www.catf.us/2023/11/lessons-learned-recently-cancelled-nuscale-uamps-project/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{leipner2023lessons, author = {Leipner, Carlos and Murray, Jon-Michael and Maxwell, Andrew and Botrel, Marcelo}, title = {{Lessons learned from the recently cancelled NuScale-UAMPS project}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://www.catf.us/2023/11/lessons-learned-recently-cancelled-nuscale-uamps-project/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }