On Thursday 7 September, members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) will debate the draft report by Franc Bogovič (EPP, Slovenian) on small modular reactors (SMRs).
The draft report, published on 29 August, recognises the potential of SMRs to replace fossil fuels and encourages their use in the production of low-carbon hydrogen, process heat and district heating.
The report highlights the fact that no SMR has yet been commercially operated anywhere in the world, but that more than 80 SMR models are currently at various stages of development and deployment in 18 countries.
The European nuclear sector as an asset
In this context, the report stresses that the EU should not be “left behind in the global race for leadership in the future SMR market”.
It goes on to say that the European nuclear sector is an important asset, recognising that the European Union already has a high degree of expertise and experience in nuclear technologies “that can be applied to the development and deployment of SMRs, with a supply chain that could generate most of the added value within Europe”.
The report explicitly states that nuclear power, as a low-carbon energy source, “will be a necessary part of the solution” and welcomes the creation of the “European SMR Partnership” involving industrial players, research and technology companies, customers, European regulators and the European Commission.
European industrial strategy
The report calls on the European Commission to launch a specific industrial strategy for SMRs, since a favourable policy and regulatory framework and the implementation of contractual and financial measures are needed to ensure the development of SMRs in the European Union.
Secondly, the report calls for the harmonisation of licensing regimes and SMR design to unlock the competitive advantages of mass production, as well as financial support for domestic production, calling for the creation of a new joint undertaking for SMRs.
Adapting the value chain
It also calls for the identification of the main challenges involved in adapting the value chain to the specific characteristics of SMRs compared with high-power reactors, as well as the definition of an overall research and development (R&D) roadmap that “meets both market expectations and safety requirements”.
The report goes on to recognise the need for uniform rules for handling and storing radioactive waste and recycling spent nuclear fuel.
Finally, an annual report from the Commission is required to assess the progress made in the development of SMRs.
To see the draft report, go to https://aeur.eu/f/8gk (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)