MOU between KGHM Polska Miedź SA and SN Nuclearelectrica SA regarding collaboration in the field of civil nuclear energy

By rbj
KGHM Polska Miedź SA and SN Nuclearelectrica SA announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Cooperation (MOU) on the development of small modular reactor (SMR) projects during an Economic Forum held in Poland.
The cooperation between KGHM Polska Miedź SA and SN Nuclearelectrica SA within the Memorandum aims at the exchange of experience and know-how, with a duration of 36 months, covering the technical, economic, legal, financial and organizational sphere, necessary for the development of small modular reactors, projects of reactors, to be developed by Romania and Poland.
– For KGHM, nuclear energy means energy independence and lower costs. Investing in SMR is a priority, it will allow us to maintain a competitive business advantage on a global scale. The introduction of an innovative nuclear power technology based on small modules is a novelty in the Polish economy. Cooperation with an experienced partner from Romania represents a significant support for this project, said Marcin Chludziński, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KGHM Polska Miedź SA.
– The international interest in the development of small modular reactors is directly proportional to the interest of states in ensuring energy security and achieving decarbonization objectives, taking into account the innovative characteristics of this technology: modularity and flexibility, having a direct impact on lower costs and shorter time of project development. Romania, with over 25 years of experience in the safe operation of its own nuclear power plant, is the first European country to initiate the development of the NuScale SMR project, the only internationally certified SMR technology. We are glad that we can cooperate and share our experiences and conclusions, and support KGHM in the first steps in the implementation of a safe, clean and innovative technology – said Cosmin Ghiță, CEO of Nuclearelectrica SA.
The memorandum between both parties includes a comprehensive approach to all SMR project development activities, from site selection to plant decommissioning, to develop robust, safe and cost-effective SMR projects in Romania and Poland.
As the first two countries to combine the pursuit of energy independence with one of the most advanced nuclear energy technologies – the innovative NuScale small modular reactor technology – Romania and Poland will strengthen their energy security thanks to a safe, stable and affordable source of clean energy. energy, while achieving their decarbonisation targets.
The project that Romania will implement in cooperation with NuScale will consist of 6 modules, each with an installed capacity of 77 MWe, a total of 462 MWe, and will generate 193 permanent jobs at the plant, 1,500 jobs in construction , 2,300 jobs in production and will allow Romania to avoid the release of 4 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere per year.
KGHM together with NuScale plans to implement SMR technology in Poland this decade. The first power plant will provide clean energy to the Company’s copper production plants.