USA, Lithuania to cooperate on SMRs
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Lithuania's interim Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys have signed an intergovernmental agreement to cooperate on the development of Lithuania's civil nuclear power programme, with a particular focus on the deployment of small modular reactors.
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Lithuania's national energy independence strategy stipulates the country must become a climate-neutral economy by the 2050s. The Ministry of Energy says the decarbonisation processes will require a large amount of additional electricity – electricity consumption is expected to increase sixfold by the 2050s, from the current 12 TWh to 74 TWh. The highest growth in electricity consumption is expected between 2030 and 2040. The ministry says that in order to balance the growing consumption, as well as large amounts of wind and solar generation, new managed generation capacities will be needed. Therefore, the National Energy Independence Strategy and the National Energy and Climate Action Plan provide for assessment of the possible construction of fourth generation small nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Lithuania. Lithuania should decide on the construction of such reactors in 2028.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Energy says the new cooperation agreement with the USA "provides that by then the United States will prepare a technology assessment report, which will include a market analysis of SMR technology, the risks of SMR technology and a life-cycle assessment of such a reactor installation, a siting analysis of new nuclear facilities, potential project financing arrangements and sources".
In addition to collaboration in the deployment of SMRs, the agreement envisions the exchange of experts to ensure the promotion of the highest standards of safety and security, the enhancement of physical and security for all civil nuclear facilities in Lithuania, and consultation regarding best practices related to decommissioning and fuel management and workforce development.
The ministry noted that the completed assessment will be used in the preparation of a report on the development of nuclear energy, predicting its development in the Lithuanian energy system, technological choice, operating model, opportunities for the local supply chain to participate in the project, necessary changes to the regulatory environment, public information and training of specialists, among other things.
"In order to make a competent decision on the development of the next generation of nuclear energy in Lithuania, we must fully assess the technical and financial possibilities of such a decision, and provide measures for managing possible risks - this agreement between the United States and Lithuania will serve this purpose," Kreivys said.
"Safe, clean and reliable civil nuclear energy will be a critical component of Lithuania's energy pathway," Granholm said. "The US remains committed to working with Lithuania to advance its national security, regional security, and democratic sovereignty."
The US Department of Energy (DOE) noted: "This agreement marks the first such intergovernmental framework led by the DOE with a specific focus on the deployment of fourth generation SMRs and represents a significant element of the United States' advancement of the development of clean, safe, and reliable nuclear power for partners and allies."
Lithuania agreed to shut down the two RBMK reactors at Ignalina as a condition of its accession to the European Union. Unit 1 was shut down in December 2004 and unit 2 in December 2009.
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