Nuclear power experts stress the importance of uniform regulations for small modular reactors

Nuclear power experts at the 13th ATOMEXPO 2024 in Sochi, Russia, emphasized the need for common regulations for small modular reactors (SMRs), a burgeoning sector in the industry. SMRs, with less than 300 MW capacity, are a new development, with potential for major growth.

The world’s first land-based small modular reactor, the RITM-200N, is set to be commissioned in the Russian Arctic region in 2028. Experts at the conference discussed the opportunities and challenges of SMRs, highlighting issues like safety, nuclear fuel cycle, emergency planning, radioactive waste management, and radiation protection.

Li Feng, Deputy Director of China National Nuclear Power (CNNP), stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has identified 19 issues related to SMRs. By 2050, SMRs could contribute about 375 GW of installed power capacity globally, with China already working on a 125 MWe SMR in Hainan.

Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the IAEA, pointed out that there is no consensus among national nuclear sector regulators on SMRs. The IAEA is working to identify common points to establish standardized regulations. In a recent statement, Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, mentioned potential cooperation between India and Russia in building small floating reactors.

India and the US have also agreed to collaborate on developing next-generation SMR technologies. The discussions at the ATOMEXPO conference underscored the importance of establishing common regulations for SMRs to ensure safety and efficiency in this growing sector of the nuclear power industry.