Ukraine, U.S. launch 3 new small modular reactor projects

MOSCOW. Nov 18 (Interfax) - Ukraine and the United States have announced the launch of three new small modular reactor projects, Ukrainian media said, citing a statement by the Ukrainian Energy Ministry and referring to the bilateral agreements reached on the COP29 climate conference's sidelines in Baku.

"The partnership will be carried out within the framework of the FIRST program (Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactors)," the ministry said.

The program envisages the implementation of three interrelated projects: the construction of a pilot plant to produce clean hydrogen and ammonia (the Clean Fuel project), the conversion of coal-fired power plants to small modular reactors (the Phoenix project), and the development of a roadmap for steel industry de-carbonization using small modular reactors (the Clean Steel project).

"We continue to move forward, modernizing our nuclear facilities and implementing plans to build new nuclear generation capacities," Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said in his virtual speech at the conference.

Ukraine joined the COP28 Declaration, committing to triple its nuclear capacity by 2050, the ministry said. This includes support for the development and construction of both large power units and small modular reactors for electricity generation and industrial applications.

"The projects will be implemented together with leading energy companies and research institutions of Ukraine and the United States. SMR technology has significant advantages over traditional nuclear power plants due to modular production, easy transportation, increased safety and lower initial investment," the Energy Ministry said.

Ukraine views the development of SMR technology as an important element of national post-crisis recovery to contribute to energy security and de-carbonization of the economy. The FIRST program is designed to ensure the implementation of the highest standards of nuclear safety and non-proliferation in the implementation of these projects.

As reported, the U.S.-based Holtec International invited specialists from the Ukrainian Energoatom to the project group that will work on the deployment of the small modular reactor SMR-300 at the Palisades NPP site in the United States.

Energoatom believes that the participation of its representatives in the construction, testing and commissioning of the SMR at the Palisades NPP site in the U.S. will allow it to gain experience for further implementation of this technology in Ukraine.