EDF's NUWARD SMR has been redesigned as a 400 MWe plant (two 200 MWe reactors) based on proven Gen III+ PWR technology, abandoning more novel design elements after cost concerns emerged in 2024. Design finalisation is targeted for mid-2026. Selected as one of nine EU SMR Alliance projects. Eight European nuclear regulators are conducting a third-phase joint safety review. France 2030 investment programme provides state backing. EDF is simultaneously pursuing a technology-agnostic strategy, partnering with Holtec for UK data centre deployments. History: the original Nuward design was a 170 MWe pressurised water reactor developed by EDF with TechnicAtome, Naval Group and Framatome. It reached the pre-instruction stage (Step 3) after EDF submitted its safety options file to the French regulator in mid-2023, but EDF withdrew its request for an opinion on the safety options on September 12, 2024 (ASN annual report 2024) while the reactor was redesigned, and Nuward does not appear on the ASNR's August 2026 list of SMR projects under review. Nuward has been promoted internationally, with a partnership with Italy's Edison and ENEA (recorded as a separate Nuward Italy project) and a strategic partnership with India for joint SMR and AMR development; the France 2030 programme allocated 1 billion euros for SMRs with Nuward as the primary industrial beneficiary.