nucleareurope and DG ENER present SMR Alliance at NENE Conference

On 9 September, nucleareurope Policy Director Andrei Goicea gave a presentation on the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs, in the framework of an event on SMR stakeholder engagement, organised in Slovenia as part of the 33rd Nuclear Energy for New Europe International Conference.

The event, gathering key stakeholders active in Slovenian, European and global SMR ecosystems, specifically focused on unlocking the future of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and navigating public engagement challenges. Andrei intervened as part of the opening panel, along with European Commission’s DG ENER Director Jan Panek, to present the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs’ mission and objectives.

Following an introduction of the Alliance’s membership and governance structure by Director Panek, Andrei presented the working methods of the Alliance, structured around eight Technical Working Groups (TWGs) dedicated to policy reflection and action in several key areas, and Project Working Groups (PWGs) centred around project development.

Andrei briefly mentioned the topics covered by the 8 TWGs, pointing out that 4 of them already started their activities before the summer break, while the four remaining ones will become operational in October.

“It is important to note that the Alliance is project-based and aims at delivering concrete results, in this regard, the Technical Working Groups will work in close collaboration with the Project Working Groups” highlighted Andrei, specifying that the Project Working Groups will be set up in October after a review of the proposed projects.

The Alliance will produce its first deliverables as follows: technology roadmaps are expected to be drafted by the end of 2024, and a strategic action plan will be proposed in the first quarter of 2025.