Hungary Rides New Wave in Nuclear Era

Small modular reactors (SMRs), with their quicker deployability, passive safety systems and potential for decentralized power generation, could become one of the key technologies of the future. By adopting the American solution, Hungary is positioning itself with good timing on the new development trajectory of nuclear electricity generation.

Special attention is paid to environmental protection at the currently operating nuclear power plant (Photo: Arpad Kurucz)

Global Developments Underway

GE Hitachi’s SMR technology is currently being used in Canada, where a four-block facility is under construction at the Darlington nuclear site. The fact that Canadian authorities have issued the construction permit is considered a milestone globally.

But the U.S. isn't the only player in SMR development. Russian state-owned Rosatom is also developing and exporting SMRs: in Uzbekistan, six blocks, each with a capacity of around 55 MW, are being built near Lake Tuzkon, close to Tashkent. This project will provide a total capacity of 330 MW and could serve as a reference for other countries, including Hungary, if successfully completed.

Opportunities and Open Questions

SMRs enable decentralized energy supply for industrial regions, data centers and new developments. A key benefit is that they provide continuous, base-load power. Due to their smaller capacity compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plants, overproduction is less of a concern, and performance downscaling is rarely needed—supporting favorable return on investment.

However, uncertainties remain: the technology cannot yet be considered fully mature. More than 80 SMR concepts exist worldwide, all at different stages of development. There is limited experience so far with installing and operating such reactors. The European licensing system is extremely strict, which may slow down specific SMR projects in Hungary. Furthermore, mass production and supplier chains are not yet fully developed—both of which are essential for cost-efficiency and investment viability.

A Necessary Innovation That Must Be Embraced

This new agreement with the United States is not only significant from an energy perspective but also diplomatically. It strengthens bilateral relations and supports the Hungarian government’s goal of ensuring a secure, predictable and environmentally friendly energy supply to meet the growing demands of economic development. SMR technology could partially or fully meet this objective in the future—provided it lives up to expectations in practice.

META 

Hungary has begun preparations to introduce American SMR technology. A faster, safer and more flexible form of nuclear energy is on the way.

Cover photo: Special attention is paid to environmental protection at the currently operating nuclear power plant (Photo: Arpad Kurucz)