New group says key tasks include identifying most promising and cost-effective technologies
The inaugural meeting of Europe’s new Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) began in Brussels on 29 May with the European Commission saying a new generation of nuclear plants is expected to help the bloc respond to the upcoming high demand for clean electricity and high quantities of hydrogen.
The two-day inaugural event is being attended by all the alliance members and representatives of EU countries, industry and the commission.
After over 300 applications by firms to be part of the alliance, today’s general assembly meeting was expected to unveil who will be allowed in the alliance, the sectors represented and the geographical distribution of the new members.
The EU was also planning to release details on the direction of the alliance and how technical work will proceed.
“Accelerating SMR development in the EU demands a robust and efficient nuclear supply chain,” the commission said in a statement.
“Collaboration among stakeholders, including project promoters, financial institutions, regulators, researchers, training centres, civil society organisations, and policymakers is essential.
“The alliance creates a European platform to enable and streamline such a collaboration.”
The commission said key tasks for the alliance include identifying the most promising and cost-effective SMR technologies eligible for alliance support, strengthening the European supply chain, identifying investment barriers and analysing funding opportunities.
The alliance is aiming to develop specific criteria for SMR projects to assess their eligibility for support.
“SMRs can complement conventional nuclear technologies and contribute, next to renewables, to European climate mitigation and sustainability efforts by co-generating low-carbon electricity and heat reliably, consistently, and securely,” the commission said.
