Hungary is to begin preliminary work to prepare for the introduction of US small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) technology, foreign affairs and trade minister Péter Szijjártó said.

Szijjártó’s comments came as Poland-based nuclear project developer Synthos Green Energy (SGE) and Hungary’s nuclear technology company Hunatom signed a letter of intent to assess the deployment of BWRX-300 SMRs in Hungary.

SGE said then agreement establishes a pre-framework for joint activities related to project development of the BWRX-300 units, a Generation III+ SMR technology developed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH).

The parties “aim to support Hungary’s long-term goals of energy security, economic competitiveness, and decarbonisation”, a statement said.