Approaches for assessing the economic competitiveness of small and medium sized reactors

This report was prepared with the following objectives: (i) to assist existing and potential stakeholders in Member States in understanding the economic competitiveness of small and medium sized reactor (SMR) technologies compared to other energy sources and large reactors (LRs); (ii) to inform available approaches and frameworks to assess the economic competitiveness of advanced SMRs and LRs under specific conditions of their application; and (iii) to share knowledge on positive experiences of several Member States that have introduced SMRs into their energy mix. To make SMRs attractive and competitive, it is necessary to reduce the risk of investment by verifying the technology itself, and by enhancing and incorporating the accumulated experience associated with the implementation of this technology. To satisfy these criteria, it may be necessary to offer those SMR technologies that are currently implemented widely, and already have a track record of success and a developed industrial infrastructure. Newer SMR technologies may need to be deployed first to niche markets in the nuclear power plant supplier countries in order to establish a technological base and related infrastructure prior to offering them to developing countries.