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Innovating the Safety Review Pathway to Strengthen the Safety Foundation of High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors — National Nuclear Safety Administration Approves Safety Design Criteria for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors

Recently, the National Nuclear Safety Administration approved the Safety Design Criteria for the High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor of the Jiangsu Xuwei Nuclear Heating and Power Plant (hereinafter referred to as the Safety Design Criteria). This document further refines the specific safety requirements for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, provides a foundational basis for the safety design of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, and serves as an important basis for subsequent safety review. This is China's first approved safety design criteria for small nuclear power reactors (hereinafter referred to as small nuclear power reactors), marking that the safety review of small nuclear power reactors has explored a new pathway led by safety design criteria. I. Relevant Background: The Rapid Development of Small Nuclear Power Reactors Calls for Innovation in Review Methods. In recent years, global advanced nuclear energy technologies have been accelerating their evolution...

2026-09-30

Saskatchewan, Canada Releases Long-Term Nuclear Energy Strategy: Plans to Build 2,600 MW of Nuclear Power by 2050

Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan, Canada, officially announced the province's long-term nuclear energy development plan in Saskatoon on September 29, establishing a strategic goal of building at least 2,600 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power capacity by 2050. Moe emphasized that nuclear energy is not only a zero-carbon clean baseload power source, but also a "nation-building opportunity" that empowers economic growth for generations, will create high-end jobs across the province, attract multinational capital, and ensure long-term electricity stability for households and industry. According to the plan, four core pillars have been established: 1. Build a highly resilient power foundation supporting long-term economic growth: Rely on non-intermittent zero-carbon nuclear energy to address the electricity load gap brought about by society-wide electrification...

2026-09-30

South Korea Plans to Build a National Collaborative Platform for Offshore Small Modular Reactors

Recently, Professor Seo Jeong of Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) proposed at the First Offshore Small Modular Reactor Network Conference held at the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency in Busan that the commercialization of offshore Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) cannot rely solely on reactor R&D, and that a national platform linking reactor design, shipbuilding, and offshore testing must be established. The nuclear industry and the shipbuilding industry currently operate in silos, and manufacturers, research institutions, and regulatory bodies should cooperate from an early stage. Seo Jeong stated that shipborne SMRs...

2026-09-29

International Seminar of Veteran Nuclear Decommissioning Experts Held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Focusing on Central Asian Nuclear Energy Prospects and Cooperation on Kyrgyzstan's SMR Project

On September 24, 2026, with the joint support of Rosatom and the Council of Energy Veterans of the Kyrgyz Republic (Совет ветеранов энергетики Киргизской Республики), the International Seminar on the Prospects for the Development of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Technologies in the Kyrgyz Republic, organized by the International Union of Veteran Experts in Nuclear Energy and Industry (МСВАЭП), was held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Senior experts in the nuclear and electric power industries from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries...

2026-09-27

Samsung C&T Teams Up with GE, Hitachi and Synthos to Enter Europe's Small Modular Reactor Market

Samsung C&T's construction division has partnered with GE Vernova, Hitachi and Synthos Green Energy (SGE) to expand into Europe's small modular reactor (SMR) market. By integrating technology, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and business development capabilities, the parties aim to establish a business model for the repeat deployment of standardized small modular reactors across European countries. Samsung C&T announced on the 23rd that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 22nd (local time) with GE Vernova, Hitachi and SGE to pursue market development and commercial...

2026-09-23

France's Nuward plans to start construction of small modular reactor in 2030

The CEO of Nuward stated that the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is evaluating applications for the second round of projects, and the company plans to begin construction of its first small modular reactor in 2030 as part of an initial plan for 10 units. Nuward is a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF Group, focused on developing small modular reactor technology. At a related event during the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, Nuward CEO Julien Garrel detailed the development progress of the Nuward small modular reactor. He noted that the project has entered its next phase, with the goal of building the first batch of 10 Nuward small modular reactor series in five European countries.

2026-09-22

India Launches "DARSHAN" Centre to Accelerate Small Modular Reactor Technology Development

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has recently officially launched the DARSHAN Centre, aimed at advancing the development of India's domestic Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. The centre will provide high-performance computing, digital simulation, and advanced engineering support for the indigenous SMR jointly developed by NPCIL and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The DARSHAN Centre is an important milestone in India's advanced nuclear technology programme. The centre was established to strengthen India's autonomous capabilities in advanced reactor technology and to provide high-level engineering and analysis support for the indigenous SMR. The centre is equipped with high-performance computing infrastructure and advanced simulation capabilities, enabling engineers and research...

2026-09-20

China Calls for Advancing SMR Innovation and Strengthening Global Nuclear Energy Cooperation

During the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, China on the 14th hosted a side event themed "Pooling Efforts for SMR Innovation, Building a Nuclear-Beautiful Home Together," focusing on strengthening international cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs) worldwide, promoting technological innovation, standards coordination, capacity building and related deployment and application, and providing support for global climate governance and sustainable development. At the side event themed "Pooling Efforts for SMR Innovation, Building a Nuclear-Beautiful Home Together," Shan Zhongde, Director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, said that China regards nuclear energy as an important option for building a new energy system and achieving the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, and, relying on a complete nuclear industry innovation chain, industrial chain and talent chain, has become one of the pioneers and pathbreakers in SMR development and deployment...

2026-09-18

Blue Energy Submits Construction Permit Application to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Advance Texas Gas-to-Nuclear Project

Blue Energy announced that it has submitted Part One of its construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its first gas-to-nuclear project at Port Victoria, Texas. This milestone move makes Blue Energy one of only five nuclear energy companies to have submitted a construction permit application to the NRC in the current new wave of nuclear power development. Blue Energy employs the Blue Way of prefabricated and standardized construction, transport, and assembly of nuclear power plants. Compared with traditional nuclear power projects, this model can shorten project commissioning time by more than a decade and significantly reduce costs and construction risks. With the final investment decision expected to be made in 2027, the project plans to deploy GE Vernova 7HA.02 gas turbines and GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) to create a first-of-its-kind gas-to-nuclear hybrid power plant.

2026-09-17

China Launches Global Network for Small Modular Reactor Innovation

On Tuesday, September 15, during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held in Vienna, the China Atomic Energy Authority officially launched the Global Network for SMR Innovation (GNSI). The network aims to promote technological progress, standard-setting, and deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), helping to improve the safety, economics, and accessibility of nuclear energy in support of climate action and sustainable development. At the launch and promotion event held in Vienna, participants stated that small modular reactors are expected to play a key role in the global expansion of nuclear energy, with applications far beyond conventional power generation, including offshore power supply, high-temperature hydrogen production, district heating, and seawater desalination.

2026-09-16

European Investment Bank to invest €40 million in Finnish small modular reactor company Steady Energy

The European Investment Bank will invest up to €40 million (about $46 million) in Finnish small modular reactor company Steady Energy. The company's LDR-50 reactor is specifically designed for district heating networks, and this is also the European Investment Bank's first investment in small modular reactor technology. The European Investment Bank is jointly owned by the 27 EU member states, and these member states do not have a consistent attitude toward nuclear energy. In the past, the bank usually avoided new nuclear power projects and invested only in projects related to nuclear safety, such as Chernobyl-related projects. However, over the past year or so, the European Investment Bank has provided loans for the refurbishment project of a reactor in Romania, as well as for the Tricastin...

2026-09-16

Canada's CSMC Releases Three Advanced Nuclear Reactor Designs

On September 10, 2026, Canadian aerospace and defense company Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation (CSMC) released three advanced nuclear reactor platforms, namely Polar-1, Jay-1, and Orca-1. The company said these three reactors target different application scenarios including remote communities, military operations, space infrastructure, scientific research, testing, and personnel training. CSMC was founded in 2020. The company stated that the three platforms constitute its advanced nuclear technology portfolio, aiming to provide reliable and deployment-flexible nuclear energy solutions in environments where conventional energy solutions struggle to meet demand, with application areas including Arctic communities...

2026-09-13

UK Nuclear Industry Association and Ukrainian Nuclear Forum Sign Nuclear Energy Cooperation Memorandum

On September 10, 2026, the UK Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) and the Ukrainian Nuclear Forum signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in areas including decommissioning of complex nuclear facilities, deployment of small modular reactors, and securing "trusted partner" status under the EU's Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). Nuclear energy is an important source of Ukraine's wartime electricity supply, accounting for approximately 55% of the country's electricity supply. This cooperation builds on existing UK-Ukraine nuclear fuel cooperation. Urenco, one-third owned by the UK government, has supplied Ukraine with...

2026-09-12

Thailand Advances SMR Regulatory and Public Engagement Preparations, Plans to Commission First Unit by 2037

From September 9 to 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of State held the FIRST and Thailand Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Bangkok. The workshop was co-hosted by the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), aiming to support Thailand's preliminary preparations for small modular reactors (SMRs), with a focus on transparent communication, public trust, and stakeholder engagement. The FIRST program, whose full name is Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology, was initiated by the U.S. Department of State and mainly supports relevant countries in...

2026-09-12

South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea Releases SMR Development Strategy 2.0, Sets 2035 Manufacturing Market Share Target

On September 10, 2026, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea announced the Small Modular Reactor Global Development Strategy 2.0, proposing to build the region into the world's leading small modular reactor (SMR) production hub by 2035, and striving to capture 60% of the global SMR manufacturing market and achieve 100% self-sufficiency in related technologies. South Gyeongsang Province stated that multiple tasks included in the Small Modular Reactor Global Development Strategy 1.0 formulated last year, including promoting the enactment of a special SMR law, designating SMR as a national strategic technology, designating an SMR specialized complex, establishing a full-cycle SMR support system, and relaxing relevant regulatory requirements, have already been reflected in the South Korean government's policies. Therefore...

2026-09-13