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Questions and answers on the Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Strategy

10 March 2026 Collected on 18 Mar 2026 View on European Commission

Source: Commission européenne — Communiqués de presse

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What are the main advantages of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?

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Questions and answers on the Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Strategy

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... HomePress corner Questions and answers on the Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Strategy

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Questions and answers on the Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Strategy

What are the main advantages of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?

SMRs are smaller in both size and output compared to traditional nuclear reactors. Their modular design allows them to be either fully constructed in a factory and then transported to their operational site or assembled on-site from components fabricated in another site.

Small modular reactors can be divided in three main categories:

Light water SMRs, which have typically been developed from existing water-cooled nuclear reactors;
Advanced modular reactors (AMRs), which use innovative concepts and next-generation (Generation IV) designs with different coolants (liquid metal, molten salt, or high-temperature gas) or novel nuclear fuel types; and
Micro-reactors, which typically produce less than 10 megawatts of electricity, have long refuelling cycles and can be transported. The initial investment needed are expected to be lower than those of large reactors, with the flexibility to add more modules at the same location as demand grows.

Once first-of-a-kind SMR units are operational, construction times for additional units should be shorter than for conventional nuclear power plants.

What is the role of SMRs in the clean energy transition?

For those Member States which decide to have nuclear energy as part of their mix, SMRs are set to become a key component, alongside traditional large-scale nuclear reactors. They can help support a flexible, secure, and efficient energy system while integrating a growing share of clean electricity.

SMRs could serve as a reliable source not only of clean electricity but also of decarbonised heat for urban districts and specific hard-to-abate industries, including chemical industries, steel production, oil refineries, maritime transport, defence, and district heating, while alleviating the pressure on electricity grids from growing demand, including from data centres, including low-carbon hydrogen production. In addition, SMRs could bring electric and thermal power in regions where economic, geographical or grid-related constraints make the use of conventional power plants not economically viable.

SMRs can also strengthen the EU's energy security and autonomy by reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, while complementing renewable energy sources. Hence, SMRs represent a significant opportunity for Europe's next industrial breakthrough, all while upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards to protect European citizens and the environment.

Supporting SMRs (and AMRs) will also help maintain and further develop world-class competencies in the nuclear sector within the EU, enabling us to compete successfully on the global market in the coming years.

How long will it be before the first SMRs are built and commissioned?

In the EU, preparatory work has already started on the first SMR projects. The deployment and operation of the first SMRs in Europe could happen as soon as the early 2030s. The success of these projects depends on access to capital, regulatory approvals, on the development of strong supply chains as well as having the necessary human resources.

As part of the overall effort, a competitive European supply chain needs to be developed for securing a high degree of local content and European added value in all SMR projects.

What is the role of SMRs in reducing EU dependence on imports of Russian nuclear fuels?

SMRs planned for deployment in the EU are all based on Western technologies and are expected to use fuels produced either in the EU or in like-minded partner countries. They would thus contribute to reducing the EU dependence on energy imports from Russia.

AMR designs, the so-called Generation IV type, are being developed in the EU, some of which are based on the concept of a closed fuel cycle. This means that they could reuse nuclear materials via recycling. These reactor designs would significantly improve fuel utilisation and contribute to minimising high-level radioactive waste, in line with circular-economy objectives. It would also reduce the need for procuring new fuels.

Is the EU providing funds to SMRs?

The aim of public funding should be to mobilise available private capital through suitable instruments, such as guarantees to the de-risking investments in first-of-a-kind SMR projects and in the deployment of first commercial units.

In light of the outcome of the ongoing call for proposals under the Innovation Fund with regard to SMR projects, the European Commission will consider an additional temporary InvestEU top-up of €200 million until 2028 to further support – via de-risking guarantees - the deployment of the initial commercial units of innovative nuclear technologies within the EU.

In addition, the new Scaleup Europe Fund, which aims at investing in the most promising European companies in strategic technology areas, could help innovative nuclear technologies to achieve faster deployment.

Over the past decades, the Euratom Research and Training Programme has supported research activities that benefit SMRs. These initiatives have fostered collaboration among Member States and strengthened expertise and know-how in the EU nuclear sector. In 2024, five Euratom research projects related to the safety of SMRs were launched with a total value of €30 million. The Commission expects to continue funding research on the safety of SMRs with €15 million under the Euratom Research and Training Programme in 2026–27, and under the 2028–34 multiannual financial framework. In addition, the IPCEI for innovative nuclear technologies, including SMRs, that is currently under its design phase, will play a key role in supporting R&D activities and promote European collaboration in this area in the coming years.

How will SMRs impact job creation and the competitiveness of the European economy?

SMRs have the potential to mobilise entire value chains across several EU countries and in different business areas, including engineering, advanced materials and robotics, and to activate financial stakeholders. They can bolster EU research and innovation leadership, create new technological knowledge and skilled jobs as well as long-term export capacity.

What role will international cooperation play in the development of SMRs and AMRs in Europe?

International cooperation with partner countries planning to deploy SMRs in the near term is essential, as well as cooperation with international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the OECD-Nuclear Energy Agency. Working closely together with candidate and potential candidate countries, and partner counties in our Southern neighbourhood, will be an integral element of the strategy.

Some of the SMR designs closest to deployment are of non-EU origin, and the EU market remains open to non-EU players. At the same time, strengthening European content and building a robust European supply chain will be essential to reduce import dependencies capabilities and ensure strategic autonomy in this key technology. In addition to industrial cooperation between the European Union, Member States and partner countries, there is scope for enhanced dialogue on regulatory frameworks.

To what extent is EU industry involved in shaping SMR deployment?

The EU industry is the driving force for SMR deployment in Europe. The European Commission launched the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs in February 2024, which has brought together almost 400 organisations, including companies, research institutions, governmental bodies and non-governmental organisations.

The primary objective of the Alliance is to facilitate the development of SMR projects and create the optimal conditions for their deployment in the EU and beyond. The Alliance's members adopted last September the Alliance's Strategic Action Plan, a roadmap of concrete actions to be implemented in the next five years (2025-2029). The aim is to have the first SMRs operating in the EU by the early 2030s.

For More Information

Press release

Small modular reactors

European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Commission unveils strategy to bring Europe's first SMRs online by the early 2030s - Energy

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