site.btaInternational Forum in Sofia Discusses Small Modular Reactors' Role in Decarbonization

The conditions for the development of small modular reactors and their role in achieving decarbonization targets are among the topics of an international conference in Sofia organized on Thursday by the Bulgarian Energy and Mining Forum and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria.

The forum under the auspices of Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov saw participation from experts and representatives of technology companies. The European Commission (EC) supports the development of small modular reactors, which are less powerful than traditional power plants. The European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors was established in February 2024 by the EC alongside the recommendation on the 2040 interim climate target, highlighting the potential of nuclear power among low-carbon technologies that can help the EU reduce emissions. The initiative brings together governments, industry players and other stakeholders seeking to accelerate the development of the sector.

Deputy Energy Minister Georgi Samandov said that Bulgaria has more than 50 years of experience in operating nuclear facilities and has the ambitious goal to build on existing technologies by concluding an agreement exploring the possibility of deploying the US AP1000 technology. "Small modular reactors are the next step that Bulgaria is facing and the Ministry of Energy encourages all attempts and investments in personnel and technology in the study and implementation of this energy source in our grid," he added and concluded that Bulgaria's experience can help make the country a pillar in Europe for introducing AP1000 into the energy mix to supply secure, constant and affordable energy.

Alex Nestor, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, said: "We are at the dawn of a nuclear renaissance in Europe and the world, which brings with it a number of challenges." As an example, he said that over the past 20 years, most nuclear projects have not been finalized on time and have significantly exceeded the budgets previously set for their implementation.

MEP Tsvetelina Penkova reviewed the European framework policy in the field and noted the importance of ensuring the sustainability of nuclear energy. Penkova noted that small modular reactors are a new technology that is more flexible, has the potential for smaller investments, lower costs, can be developed and deployed in remote areas.

The EC has already acknowledged that to reach the 2050 targets, energy consumption will be growing very fast, which will require large amounts of energy. That energy is expected to come mostly from renewables, but this will not be enough, said Gianfranco Brunetti, head of the EC's Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning Unit. The strategic objectives of the economy in the current context make it necessary to develop these advanced technologies.

Brunetti noted that small modular reactors will feed into integrated energy systems and help achieve low carbon and environmental objectives in the future.

Enguerrand Ducene, Westinghouse Electric Company's Vice President, Energy Systems Sales & Business Development, EMEA, said that small modular reactors are not a replacement solution. He said that the solution is complex and, whatever size of reactors is adopted, safety and security are most important. Ducene said that Westinghouse works with proven technologies such as the AP1000. He added that when it comes to small modular reactors, his company adapts the AP1000 with minimum changes to fit the smaller scale of the plant.