Taiwan’s National Atomic Research Institute (Nari) has launched a $3.3m (€2.9m) small modular reactor (SMR) research project that could pave the way for the introduction of advanced nuclear reactors in a nation that is close to shutting down all its older generation, large-scale reactor units.

The research into new nuclear technologies comes as the government is scheduled this weekend to permanently shut down the Maanshan-2 nuclear power plant in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, fulfilling its promise to make Taiwan nuclear free.