SGE and Slovenské Elektrárne Sign MoU to Explore Deployment of SMRs in CEE
SGE S.A. and Slovenské Elektrárne (SE), the largest electricity producer in Slovakia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation in the development of projects utilizing GE Vernova Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR technology. The MoU outlines the parties’ intention to collaborate on investment opportunities, licensing, and project development related to the deployment of SMRs in Slovakia and other Central and Eastern European countries. The cooperation may include the creation of joint ventures, equity and debt financing structures, and the development of regional supply chains. In particular, the parties will explore opportunities in:• Slovakia, Czech Republic and the United Kingdom: through local partnerships, investments in special purpose vehicles, and other business models agreed upon by both parties.• Digital infrastructure: by linking SMR projects with the development of data centers and related technologies. This strategic partnership reflects the growing momentum behind SMRs as a scalable, low-emission energy solution for Europe’s energy transition. The BWRX-300 is a Generation III+ reactor design that offers enhanced safety, simplified construction, and cost efficiency, making it a strong candidate for supporting national decarbonization and energy security goals.
SGE and Hunatom Sign LoI to assess the deployment of SMRs in Hungary
SGE S.A. and Hunatom have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to assess the deployment of BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Hungary. Robert Palladino, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Hungary congratulated SGE S.A. and Hunatom by saying “The agreement signed today brings together Polish and Hungarian leadership with world-class American innovation: General Electric’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor, one of the most advanced and safest nuclear technologies available anywhere in the world. This is American engineering at its best” He continued by stating “the American commitment to helping our allies secure clean, reliable, and sovereign energy supplies for generations to come.”The LoI 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 decarbonization. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said “We are facing increased electricity demand, the only way we can sustain on own, is nuclear, no question.” He continued “SMRs are the ideal solution for us”.The BWRX-300 is the most commercially advanced SMR on the market today. The reactor leverages GVH’s 80 years of experience to deliver a simple and innovative design which lowers costs and improves safety. Each unit has the ability to power more than 300,000 homes while significantly reducing the complexity and cost associated with traditional nuclear reactors. With today’s announcement, Hungary joins the United States, Canada, and Poland on the list of countries interested in the deployment of this advanced civil nuclear technology. Michał Sołowow, owner of SGE S.A. said: “I am here as an entrepreneur, but also as a Polish patriot. As a patriot, I know that our agreement is a step towards increasing the energy independence of the entire region, including Poland and Hungary. Thanks to GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 technology, we can use clean energy to build a better world and ensure economic development in both our countries,”The agreement was signed by SGE S.A. CEO Rafał Kasprów, SGE S.A. Chief Business Development Officer Robert Rudich, and Hunatom Plc. Managing Director Róbert Griljov in presence of the Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Polish Chargé d’affaires Jacek Śladewski, and U.S. Chargé d’affaires Robert Palladino.
UK Government to support BWRX-300 development
SGE S.A. plans to invest in the development of the BWRX-300 technology on the British market and act as a developer there. To achieve these goals, the company took part in the FNEF grant program organized by the UK Government as an investor in the BWRX-300 project together with other recognized partners such as GE Hitachi, Jacobs, Laing O’Rourke and Cavendish Nuclear. Today, UK Government announced GE Hitachi is a successful recipient of grant funding resulting in a positive decision to co-finance the licensing process of the BWRX-300 technology in the UK. More information:GE Vernova’s Nuclear business, GE Hitachi, selected for UK Future Nuclear Enabling Fund | GE NewsONR begins new Small Modular Reactor assessment – Office for Nuclear Regulation – News
First potential sites in Poland announced
ORLEN Synthos Green Energy – a joint venture company of SGE S.A. and PKN ORLEN – is investing in zero-carbon nuclear power and will provide Poles with access to safe, affordable and clean energy as well as create attractive new jobs. The company has already checked tens of potential sites for the construction of small modular blocks. So far, seven most optimum sites have been selected for further geological surveys. Once their potential is confirmed, the priority will be to open a dialogue with the communities in each of the locations. Only after reaching an agreement will decisions be made about implementing a safe and environmentally friendly project. “To be modern and competitive, Poland’s economy needs affordable and clean energy. That is why we are taking concrete measures to reach this objective. Small modular reactors are not merely a vision of the future. By 2030, we plan to build at least one modern and completely safe nuclear block in Poland. We have picked several dozens potential sites for this strategic project. We see a lot of interest from local governments, which are aware of the associated benefits. In the first stage, we selected seven most promising sites. However, since approval from the local communities is of fundamental importance to us, an open dialogue with residents will be key in making the decision on final locations. And the game is worth the candle, because each SMR plant means about 100 new jobs at the plant itself and about 1,000 in the region, as well as safe and cheap energy and additional proceeds to the local budgets,” said Daniel Obajtek, PKN ORLEN’s CEO and President of the Management Board. Once the ongoing surveys and preliminary consultations with local governments are completed, over the next two years ORLEN Synthos Green Energy will thoroughly analyse the possibility of building the first small modular block near seven locations: Ostrołęka, Włocławek, Stawy Monowskie, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Nowa Huta, Tarnobrzeg Special Economic Zone and Warsaw. These are locations with, among others, high energy-intensive production plants, as well as locations that are optimal for heating system purposes. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) meet the highest safety standards. They have mechanisms that automatically trigger cooling procedures, so that after an emergency shutdown the BWRX-300 unit can remain in a safe state for many days without human intervention. Such solutions enable fully safe operation and make it easier to find sites for the nuclear blocks. What additionally helps is the small size of this kind of plant, taking up about 10% of the land needed for a large nuclear power plant. The SMR plant, consisting of the reactor building, turbine and generator building, control building, radioactive waste building and the turbine and generator repair facilities, will take up only an area the size of a football pitch. Small modular blocks are a source of cheap energy. The estimated costs per MWh of SMR-generated electricity will ultimately be many times lower compared with gas-fired generating sources. Electricity output from one SMR will be sufficient to satisfy the needs of approximately 300,000-350,000 households. The use of the modern American BWRX-300 technology is also a guarantee of high performance. The unit will be able to generate power on a continuous basis for 60 years, with the option to extend production to 90 years. “The United States stands with our allies. Right now, Poland is seeking more energy solutions. It needs a secure source of energy to protect itself against Russia’s malign influence. It needs a clean source of energy to meet climate commitments. And it needs a reliable source of energy to drive the economy and create good paying jobs. I am confident that secure, clean, and reliable nuclear energy from GE-Hitachi’s Small Modular Reactors is an important part of this solution,” said Mark Brzezinski, United States Ambassador to Poland. Investments in small modular blocks facilitate a fast-paced and effective transition. The cutting-edge units will guarantee fully safe production of clean energy. Because of their neutral environmental impact, many SMRs in the world are built in the vicinity of cities or city centres. One example is the unit in Darlington, Canada, just 5 km from Oshawa, which has a population of 140,000. By 2030, ORLEN Synthos Green Energy will build at least one BWRX-300, which will be the second SMR of this type in the world, after the one being built in Darlington. The company holds the exclusive right to this technology in Poland. “I believe that converting coal to carbon-free nuclear energy, as well as supporting district heating and industrial heat applications will require a fleet of BWRX-300s in Poland that capitalizes on this significant investment thanks to the modernized design, they are the safest SMR technology currently available in the world,” said Jay Wileman, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s President and CEO. Dozens of Polish companies will be part of the supply chain for ORLEN Synthos Green Energy’s investment. This means that almost a half of the expenditure on building the first SMR will be spent under contracts with Polish companies. The project will also help create hundreds of new jobs in many industries. There is more than just jobs for high- and medium-qualified staff at the power plant – local residents can also work as construction workers or drivers. It is estimated that one SMR will provide about 100 jobs for local communities at the plant itself, while each of these jobs will generate five to six more in the surrounding area, in addition to jobs in construction. The availability of affordable energy and the security of its supply will attract investor interest. Local governments will gain additional tax revenues, making it possible to subsidise healthcare facilities, preschools and schools, community centres and others areas important to local residents. More than a dozen countries from all over the world are investing in small modular block technology projects, including the United States, the UK, France, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland and Romania.
Agreement signed in Washington to develop the BWRX-300 technology
For the first time ever, a Polish company has become party to an agreement for a design for nuclear power plant, while being given an opportunity to actively participate in the design process. The agreement signed by SGE S.A. will allow it to obtain a design consistent with both European and Polish standards and thus to expedite the construction work on Poland’s first SMR. In addition, the design will be applicable to further SMR deployments, significantly streamlining the entire process and reducing the cost of building the BWRX-300 fleet. “For the first time ever, a private Polish company is investing in a design for nuclear power plants. We do this because GE Hitachi’s state-of-the-art modular technology is simply ideal for decarbonising energy and heat production in Poland, and also for our other zero-emission projects in the United Kingdom and throughout Central Europe,” says Rafał Kasprów, CEO of SGE S.A. The Polish company’s partners are Ontario Power Generation (OPG) – a Canadian power supplier running a project to develop the world’s first BWRX-300 near Toronto, and the federally owned Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) – one of the largest electric utility corporations in the US. TVA will develop the first BWRX-300 in the US at Clinch River, for which its has already secured a site permit from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. GE Hitachi, the owner of BWRX-300, is another party to the agreement, which will allow it to step up work on the technology. Through the agreement signed in Washington with the participation of the Polish Ambassador to the US Marek Magierowski, the partners are to invest in the development of a design led by GE Hitachi, the total investment amount to exceed USD 400 million. The work will include the BWRX-300 standard design and detailed design for the reactor building and other components with a reactor pressure vessel and internals. Work to finalise the agreement had been under way from spring 2020. The fact that the project’s overall cost will be funded by several contributors, which will develop power plants using reactors from GE Hitachi, will strengthen the cost competitiveness of the technology deployment. The involvement of electricity companies controlled by the US federal government (TVA) and by the government of the Canadian province of Ontario (OPG) is proof that BWRX-300 is the most mature technology for constructing SMRs. The collaboration and additional funding will ensure that the standard design is deployable in different parts of the world and in multiple jurisdictions. To this end, a dedicated team will be formed by the agreement signatories (the design center working group) to ensure compliance of the technology design with the regulations and standards applicable in various jurisdictions. The goal is for the BWRX-300 technology to be licensed and deployed in the US, Canada, Poland as well as other countries. Preparations to construct the first BWRX-300 SMR are being carried out by OPG at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station near Toronto. The new facility is slated to be placed in operation by the end of 2028. Last year, OPG applied for a construction permit to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and a contract for the project was signed in January 2023 with OPG, GEH, SNC Lavalin and Aecon as the contractors. As for TVA, it is preparing to apply for a permit to construct a BWRX-300 at Clinch River in Tennessee, while exploring additional sites in its service area (southeastern states of the US) for more potential SMR deployments. The BWRX-300 is being designed to reduce construction and operating costs below other nuclear power generation technologies, while ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational reliability. The design is being developed to leverage proven technologies and components already used in the US-licensed ESBWR reactor as well as existing certified fuel that has been produced for years. A decision to build a BWRX-300 has recently been made by Estonia. Interest in the GE Hitachi technology, to a varying extent, has already been expressed by some 30 countries.