Cranberry Township, Pa.-based Westinghouse Electric Company announced Monday it had signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) regarding small modular reactor technology with JAVYS, a Slovakian state-owned nuclear company.
The MOU would allow Slovakia to evaluate expanding its nuclear energy through the potential deployment of AP1000 reactors and AP300 small modular reactors. The MOUs create the framework for collaboration on technical and developmental plans, while exploring next steps toward implementation, officials said.
“We have rich experience with Westinghouse, as we have been collaborating on specific projects related to the decommissioning of nuclear power plants in Jaslovské Bohunice for a long time. In addition, Westinghouse is involved in and contributes to the processes of diversification of fresh nuclear fuel for reactors in Slovakia, thus representing, from our perspective, a company that covers the entire nuclear cycle,” said Pavol Štuller, Chairman of the Board and CEO of JAVYS, a.s.
Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactor is the only Generation III+ reactor with passive safety systems, and modular construction design in operation. One unit recently began power production in the U.S and four are currently operational in China. Another six reactors are under construction in China, Westinghouse said. Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria are also developing nuclear systems using the AP1000 technology, and it is under consideration in other sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The AP300 SMR was launched in May as a 300-MWe single-loop pressurized water reactor, based on the AP1000 technology. Westinghouse said its target design certification is 2027, with construction by 2030, and the first operating unit available in 2033.
“Slovakia is a country that understands well the benefits of nuclear energy and we are very excited to be working with the JAVYS team to secure their energy future with our advanced, proven AP1000 and AP300 reactor technologies,” said David Durham, Westinghouse President for Energy Systems.