Hungary might operate small nuclear reactor with American technology

First signs that in the future Hungary could operate nuclear reactors with American technology emerged. The small modular reactors could supplement the nuclear plant at Paks.

The Hungarian energy minister, Csaba Lantos mentioned for the first time that Hungary could purchase small modular nuclear reactors, portfolio.hu reports. Potential new reactors based on American technology do not endanger the completion of Paks II.

In his interview with XXI. Század Intézet, Csaba Lantos made it clear that nuclear power plants are playing a leading role in the energy supply of Hungary. “The government wants to extend the operating life of Paks I, for which it will carry out the necessary studies, and also we also want to build Paks II” – he said.

Peeking at the neighbours

Csaba Lantos also pointed out that the share of electricity could rise from 20 percent to 45 percent in Hungarian energy consumption charts. The combined share of the 2000 MW Paks I and 2400 MW Paks II could be around 50 percent after the completion of the new reactors.

Read alsoHungary might operate small nuclear reactor with American technology

However, that might not be enough to sustainably provide energy to Hungary, therefore the government must think about building a 3^rd reactor. The minister believes that they must pay attention to the developments in Romania.

“We’re also looking at this [building a 3^rd nuclear plan]. There’s a new wave of small modular reactors, we know of 15 different designs, and quite surprising countries, like Argentina, are building them.”

“Our neighbour Romania will be the first in Europe to build such a small modular reactor with American technology, so this is an issue that we must deal with very seriously and we are tackling it. I see this as an important issue for the foreseeable future.”

Read alsoHungary tries to save Russian businessmen from the new EU sanctions

As uncertainties around Paks II. do not appear to be fading due to Russia’s war with Ukraine, the small modular reactors could provide a stop-gap solution.

The EU is currently planning its 10th sanctions package against Russia, and Hungary wants to get exemptions regarding Russian nuclear energy activity. “Any sanctions on nuclear energy or Rosatom would harm Hungary’s fundamental national interests” – Reuters quoted Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó regarding the highly delayed project.

Source: portfolio.hu, Reuters

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2 Comments

Michael Steiner says:

07/03/2023 at 09:11

High time we pivot toward the clean, reliable, and efficient nuclear technology, instead of religiously plowing endless money into the “green” nonsense, which, incidentally, is often just about as environmentally-unfriendly as fossil fuels.
Norbert says:

08/03/2023 at 18:24

Here’s the problem, @Michael: nuclear energy may be cleaner than coal or natural gas, however it isn’t renewable. Reactors produce power using heat generated by the controlled fission of elements (uranium, thorium, etc.). The byproduct of these reactions is radioactive waste that can take tens or even thousands of years to reach safe levels.

Then, there’s the issue as to how much waste the small modular reactors actually create – the jury is still out:

https://www.theregister.com/2022/06/02/nuclear_reactors_waste/

NuScale Power is mentioned in the study – and the first with a design certification by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Costs appears to be on the rise, though – which is also an important consideration:

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/western-us-cities-vote-move-ahead-with-novel-nuclear-power-plant-2023-02-28/

Bill Gates still playing with his concept, also looking interesting,