The IAEA is expanding its cooperation and coordination in the design, development and deployment of small, medium or modular reactors. This is one of the most promising emerging technologies in the field of nuclear energy.
Significant progress has been made in small modular reactors, some of which will use prefabricated systems and components to shorten construction plans and have greater flexibility and endurance than conventional nuclear power plants.
The Deputy Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mikhail Chudakov, said that some 50 MW small modular reactor concepts are at various stages of development around the world and the IAEA is setting up a technical working group to guide the work on small modular reactors and to provide a forum to facilitate information and knowledge sharing among members. The technical working group is composed of about 20 IAEA member countries and international organizations and is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Vienna, headquarters of the IAEA, from 23 to 26 April 2018.
