On September 7, Polish company Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) began their collaboration to develop a framework to create additional small modular reactors (SMRs).

ENEC Managing Director and CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi and ORLEN Synthos Green Energy CEO Rafał Kasprów signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop SMRs based on GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300 technology. The Polish company maintains exclusive rights to the use of its partner’s, GE Hitachi, BWRX-300 technology in Poland. OSGE plans to deploy a fleet of BWRX-300 reactors in Poland, central and eastern Europe, and the UK.

The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GEH’s ESBWR which has US Nuclear Regulatory Commission certification.

ENEC, on the other hand, will use its experience from the development of the United Arab Emirate’s first nuclear power plant, Barakah, to guide OSGE; providing its expertise in building operational readiness, and stakeholder management, building commercial frameworks with technology vendors and other contractors.

Kasprów said partnership with ENEC was a milestone for OSGE, “ENEC brings unique experience in building nuclear power plants in accordance with the highest nuclear industry safety and quality standards, delivering projects on time and on budget. Furthermore, I am pleased that ENEC recognises the development of SMRs as important for the future of nuclear energy,” he said.

Construction of the UAE’s Barakah NPP began in 2011. Korea Electric Power Company (Kepco) led the consortium that is building the plant comprising four APR1400 reactors. The last unit completed hot functional testing in July 2022 in preparation for commercial operation.

“This MoU sets the stage for our plans to accelerate nuclear adoption globally and lend our expertise in advancing the clean energy transition towards achieving Net Zero,” Al Hammadi said. “The development of the Barakah Plant in the UAE is a catalyst for innovation and R&D in new areas, including SMRs, which we are currently exploring as part of our future growth opportunities, alongside other next-generation technologies. Globally, there is an urgent need to ramp up nuclear capacity if we are to meet climate goals. We look forward to working with ORLEN Synthos Green Energy to support decarbonisation in Poland and other parts of Europe.”