Smaller nuclear reactors could bring nuclear power to places and industries that conventional plants may not readily serve. What will it take to turn that potential into commercially viable projects?
At SIEW TechTable Session 4 on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Nuclear, three industry representatives explored how emerging reactor technologies could meet a wider range of energy needs. The speakers were Ted Jones, Senior Director for National Security and International Programmes at the Nuclear Energy Institute; Miriam D’Onofrio, Senior Director for International Market Development and Policy at X-energy; and James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear Energy.
The session was moderated by Dr Jennifer Gordon, Director of the Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative at the Atlantic Council.
New reactor designs could serve different energy needs
Mr Walker highlighted the potential of microreactors, which are smaller than conventional small modular reactors (SMRs), to supply electricity to data centres and industrial sites.
In Southeast Asia, he explained how microreactors could provide electricity for desalination and local industries in island communities dependent on diesel generation. He cited interest from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. He noted that delivering fuel to remote communities can be costly and logistically challenging.
Mr Jones emphasised the importance of international partnerships in nuclear deployment. These could support supply-chain integration, local industrial development and regulatory expertise. He noted that these relationships could span 80 to 100 years, extending well beyond the initial sale of a reactor.
Data centre demand is reshaping nuclear partnerships
Rising electricity demand from data centres is prompting technology companies to help finance new nuclear projects. Ms D'Onofrio highlighted X-energy's partnership with Amazon. The partnership aims to support the deployment of more than 5 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity in the US by 2039.
Under the partnership, Amazon has invested in X-energy. It has also agreed to provide up to US$334 million for early development of a proposed nuclear project in Washington State. Ms D'Onofrio also outlined plans for another proposed project in Indiana, reflecting the company's broader deployment ambition.
Financial commitments alone cannot ensure successful deployment. The reactor technology has yet to be demonstrated at commercial scale. Ms D'Onofrio also identified early community engagement as an important factor, as public trust and local support can affect project timelines and costs. Public trust and local support, she noted, can affect project timelines and costs.
Commercial deployment requires more than reactor technology
Bringing advanced reactors to market will require reliable fuel supplies and the ability to deliver projects on schedule.
Mr Walker said NANO Nuclear Energy had prioritised modular designs using conventional low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. This differs from some advanced reactor designs, which require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). He presented this approach as a way to reduce potential fuel-supply constraints.
The scale of anticipated nuclear growth raises questions about delivery. Mr Jones cited a survey of US nuclear utilities indicating that respondents anticipated approximately 33.6 gigawatts of new nuclear generation by 2039. These expectations do not represent approved or funded projects.
He stressed that realising this potential would require supportive policies and projects delivered on time and within budget. Experience from early projects, including licensing and construction, could inform subsequent deployments.
The progress of these projects could also inform planning in other markets. Ms D'Onofrio suggested that Southeast Asian countries could begin evaluating potential suppliers and deployment requirements while initial projects remain under development.
As Southeast Asian countries consider their options, early projects will offer important lessons about commercial deployment. These could help shape the wider adoption of advanced nuclear technologies across different markets.
Stay tuned as the conversation evolves throughout the day. Follow @SIEW_sg on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) for key insights and the latest updates.
