Nuclear roundup: From SMRs in Rwanda to naming Wylfa

Three nuclear stories caught the attention of the Enlit news desk this week.

Holtec International and Rwanda ink SMR development agreement

Holtec International and the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) have signed a Development Agreement to advance the deployment of Holtec’s SMR-300 in the Republic of Rwanda.

The agreement, signed during the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA), aligns with Rwanda’s ambitions to be a frontrunner in nuclear energy generation on the continent.

Holtec’s Enterprise Unit Director Rafael Marin, commented in a statement: “Through this agreement, Holtec and RAEB will work together to deploy SMR-300 units in Rwanda, with a potential total capacity of up to approximately 5 GW, supporting the country’s strategy to deploy reliable baseload power without carbon emissions which will serve as an engine for long-term economic growth in the nation.”  

Global Coalition for Nuclear Philanthropy launches

The Rockefeller Foundation and Temasek Trust have launched the Global Coalition for Nuclear Philanthropy (GCNP), a collaborative initiative to mobilise philanthropic capital in support of nuclear energy as a driver for clean energy security, economic growth, energy abundance, and human development.

Also of interest:
Nuclear in transition: Insights from Siemens Energy
Blue Energy and GE Vernova plan gas-plus-nuclear plant in Texas

The GCNP will grow and align philanthropic capital for nuclear across specific strategic pathways, with the aim of supporting more countries in exploring the safe and credible integration of nuclear into their energy mix over the next 5 to 10 years.

Locals to decide name for Wylfa SMR project

Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) has launched a naming competition for its flagship small modular reactors (SMR) at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales.

In November last year, it was announced that Wylfa had been selected as the location for the UK’s first SMRs, which was followed by GBE-N signing contracts with Rolls-Royce SMR to be the technology provider for the project.

GBE-N’s Chief Executive, Simon Roddy, said: “This is the start of a decades-long relationship with the people of Anglesey, so it’s only right that we ask them to help name the power station which will be a part of this community’s story for generations.”

Anglesey residents have until 5pm on Monday 8th June to submit their suggestions, with the winning name being announced soon after.