Nucnet : Europe / Alliance Identifies Nine Initial Nuclear Reactor Projects For Support
15 October 2024
The European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) has selected nine SMR projects for its first round of project working groups (PWGs), marking a major step towards deploying SMR technologies in Europe by the early 2030s.
Key Points:
- The alliance, a public-private initiative launched by the European Commission in February 2024, received 22 project applications and selected nine for initial support.
- The chosen projects cover a broad spectrum of reactor designs, including lead-cooled fast reactors, pressurised water reactors, molten salt reactors, and micro-modular plants.
- These projects target various applications: power generation, district heating, and industrial uses such as oil refining, desalination, and steel production.
Selected Projects:
- EU-SMR-LFR project (Ansaldo Nucleare, SCK-CEN, ENEA, Raten)
- CityHeat project (Calogena, Steady Energy)
- Project Quantum (Last Energy)
- European LFR AS Project (Newcleo)
- Nuward (EDF)
- European BWRX-300 SMR (OSGE)
- Rolls-Royce SMR (Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd)
- NuScale Voygr SMR (RoPower Nuclear S.A)
- Thorizon One project (Thorizon)
Implications and Next Steps:
- Selection does not guarantee direct funding but opens opportunities for collaboration among developers, regulators, and supply chain actors.
- Projects not chosen in this round can reapply in the second quarter of 2025 after refining their proposals1.
- The alliance’s tasks include identifying promising SMR technologies, strengthening the European supply chain, and analyzing investment barriers and funding opportunities.
Strategic Context:
- The initiative aims to help the EU meet rising demand for clean electricity and hydrogen, with SMRs playing a key role in the energy transition.
This selection positions Calogena’s CityHeat project among the leading SMR initiatives in Europe, reinforcing its relevance in the continent’s future energy landscape.