Small Modular Reactors in Poland. KGHM signs memorandum with Romania's Nuclearelectrica

Last year, Romania said last it would partner with U.S. firm NuScale Power to build small nuclear reactors, while KGHM and NuScale signed a deal in February to start deploying small modular reactors in Poland, aiming to have the first one operational by 2029.

"The cooperation between KGHM Polska Miedz SA and SN Nuclearelectrica SA, within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, is aimed at the exchange of experience and know-how, with a duration of 36 months, in the technical, economic, legal, financial and organisational fields for the development of small modular reactor projects to be developed by Romania and Poland" - KGHM said at its website.

"For KGHM, nuclear energy means energy independence and lower costs. The investment in SMRs is a priority, and will also enable us to maintain our competitive business advantage on a global scale. The introduction of innovative nuclear energy technology, based on small modules, is a watershed event for the Polish economy. This cooperation with an experienced partner from Romania provides substantial support to the venture" - said Marcin Chludziński, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź SA.

"The international interest in the development of small modular reactors is directly proportional to the interest of countries in ensuring energy security and achieving decarbonisation targets, given the innovative characteristics of this technology: modularity and flexibility, having a direct impact on lower costs and lower development period. Romania, with more than 25 years of experience in the safe operation of its nuclear power plant, has initiated the development of a NuScale SMR project, the only SMR technology certified at international level. We are happy to collaborate and share our experience and lessons learned and support KGHM in steps for deploying a safe, clean and innovative technology" - said Cosmin Ghita, Chief Executive Officer, SN Nuclearelectrica SA.

"The Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties involves a comprehensive approach to all activities in the development of an SMR project, from site selection to decommissioning, with the aim of developing robust, safe and cost-efficient SMR projects in Romania and Poland" - KGHM said.

"As two of the first countries to join the drive for energy independence with one of the most advanced nuclear energy technologies, NuScale's innovative small modular reactor technology, Romania and Poland will strengthen their energy security with a secure, stable, affordable and clean source of energy while achieving their decarbonisation goals" - we read.

Furthermore, KGHM said that "the project that both Romania and Poland will develop, in cooperation with NuScale, will have 6 modules, each with an installed capacity of 77 MWe, 462 MWe, in total and will generate 193 permanent jobs in the plant, 1,500 construction jobs, 2,300 production jobs and will help Romania avoid the release of 4 million tonnes of CO2 per year into the atmosphere".

KGHM also said that - together with NuScale - it intends to implement the SMR technology in Poland this decade.

"The first SMR in Poland will provide clean energy to the copper Company’s production units. In this respect, KGHM has already submitted an application to the National Atomic Energy Agency to evaluate the technology and prepare a site study. Towards this end, work is underway on the establishment in Poland of a Simulator of an SMR Control Room (Education Center – E2 Center) for the training of operators and nuclear specialists" - Poland's copper ore giant said.