Slovakia eyes small modular reactors for nuclear future

Slovakia is interested in small modular reactors and will support discussion about this topic at the European level, said state secretary of economy Karol Galek, who again welcomed the Commission’s proposal to include nuclear energy and natural gas in the EU Taxonomy.

Galek also expects more discussions about small modular reactions (SMR) to occur this year as the EU Council presidency will be in the hands of pro-nuclear France and the Czech Republic during 2022.

“The Slovak Republic is interested in obtaining more information about these technologies and will participate in the discussions on this topic,” Galek said.

Energy analyst Karol Hirman adds that Slovakia’s interest in these types of reactors is logical as the country will not need a new nuclear power plant for some time after finishing the third and fourth block of the Mochovce power pl nt. “When there will be a need for new sources, I imagine the country will opt for small modular reactors,” he said.

SMR are part of a new generation of nuclear technology based on the design of nuclear propulsion used in submarines or aircraft carriers.

Instead of building reactors on the power plant’s site, key components of SMR’s can be constructed in a factory. They are then assembled with a protective cloak around them, with safety being theoretically enhanced by placing them partially in the ground.

Small reactors could be located close to large consumers, especially energy-intensive industries.

The first of these reactors will be in the US and Canada, while France and Poland are also interested in technology.

(Michal Hudec | EURACTIV.sk)