Romania will reach for the “modest” power of the nuclear power plant. A small modular nuclear reactor is already under construction

It seems that the small nuclear reactor is now becoming a kind of holy grail in the energy world. It turned out that its development is led not only by the US, but also by two Romanian companies that have joined forces to create the country’s first small modular reactor. The country is said to have “the potential to adapt to the first SMR deployment in Europe” and has even received support from the US.

Romania has the potential to transform nuclear reactors in Europe. Will create a small modular nuclear reactor with support from the US

The two companies are both Nuclearelectrica and NuScale, which signed in March 2019 Memorandum of Understanding oriented to technical and business information on nuclear technology. The US is also having a hand in this case, which is going to provide Romania with technical support valued at over $ 2 million. Its goal is to transform the country’s energy production plants into an education and training center that will include providing one of the most elite universities in Romania with a unique modular small nuclear reactor simulator.

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This pioneering initial step by Romania will take place at a significant pace in reducing emissions across Europe. With 30 coal-fired power plants in the region, including seven in Romania, SMRs are ideally suited to replace them and hire many of the same workers. We are excited to partner with Romania to develop emerging clean technologies

– we read in the announcement of the US Department of State.

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By providing the university with a nuclear reactor, young minds will be trained on a practical basis, increasing the chances of making Romania something of a ‘nuclear refuge for Europe’. On this basis, subsequent, improved iterations of nuclear reactors will be created, proving that in the pursuit of lower CO2 emissions, the power of the atom is irreplaceable (via Interesting Engineering).

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Romania will integrate small modular reactors into its national energy production system by 2028, which will strengthen the partnership with the US in the field of civil nuclear energy. Considering the benefits generated by the value chains that will emerge around this technology, Romania wants to participate in the advanced production of SMR in the region as well as in the preparation of human resources and support the operation of this new technology in other countries

– added another statement from the Romanian presidential office.