Rolls-Royce and Fermi Energia sign agreement for SMR development

• 3 years ago (2021-03-04)
• David Flin

Europe 1068 Nuclear 643

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Rolls-Royce and Fermi Energia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to study the potential for the deployment of SMR power stations in Estonia. The study will cover all aspects of deployment, including grid suitability, cooling, emergency planning, human resources, licensing feasibility, economics, and supply chain.

Fermi Energia is an Estonian organisation founded to bring SMRs to Estonia to help it meet its climate goals, develop the economy, and gain energy security.

Rolls-Royce is developing an SMR, which it says will push down costs and its modular nature will help avoid costly schedule disruptions. It is working with the UK Government to secure a commitment for a fleet of factory-built nuclear power stations, each providing 440 MW, to be operational within a decade.

Tom Samson, Interim CEO of the UKSMR consortium, said: “Nuclear power is central to tackling climate change, economic recovery, and energy security. To do this, it must be affordable, reliable, and investable, and the way we manufacture and assemble our power station brings its cost down to be comparable with offshore wind. It’s a compelling proposition that has a clue role to play in Estonia’s low-carbon energy future and we’re delighted to be working with Fermi Energia to find ways to make that happen as soon as possible.”