IAEA Platform on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications

Demand for Agency support in the area of small modular reactors (SMRs) has been increasing owing to their reduced capital costs, flexibility in terms of siting and operation, scalability and diverse products.

With the participation of all relevant Agency Departments and Offices, the IAEA Platform on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications (SMR Platform) coordinates the Agency’s efforts to strengthen support to Member States and other stakeholders interested in the early deployment of SMRs. This support covers not only technology development and demonstration, but also legal frameworks and efforts to ensure safety, security and safeguards.

In 2024, the Platform organized workshops on business models for nuclear power projects, in Jordan, and on general aspects of SMR deployment, in Mongolia. A virtual webinar was held for Myanmar to discuss SMR technologies and stakeholder engagement. The Platform was also involved in a regional workshop on SMRs for near-term deployment, in Indonesia, and a workshop on suitability studies for SMRs, in Thailand.

Through the Platform, work is under way to update the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series publication Technology Roadmap for Small Modular Reactor Deployment. Furthermore, a comprehensive curriculum is being finalized for the SMR School, which will be launched in 2025 with a view to raising awareness about key aspects of SMR development and deployment among government officials and policymakers in interested Member States.

International Conference on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications

Jointly organized by the Department of Nuclear Energy and the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, the SMR Conference featured 44 technical sessions, 5 topical plenaries, 5 side events and 6 poster sessions, providing an international forum to take stock of progress and discuss opportunities, challenges and enabling conditions for the accelerated safe and secure development and deployment of SMRs. An Industry Night was held for public and private SMR developers to present their designs and discuss innovative deployment strategies.