Bangkok: Policy makers in Asia have been learning about small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of a new IAEA initiative to inform governments, regulators, and industry about the technology’s potential role in the energy mix. Hosted by Thailand, the second SMR workshop, known as an SMR School, coincides with growing momentum behind nuclear energy in Asia. The region is ramping up efforts on nuclear energy, accounting for two-thirds of the world’s reactors under construction, primarily in China, with Uzbekistan initiating SMR construction.
According to EMM, while the SMR School was underway in Bangkok from July 21-25, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited Singapore, reaffirming IAEA support for ASEAN countries considering nuclear, including SMRs, as part of their clean energy strategies. “The urgency of climate action is greater than ever,” said Rungrueng Kitphati, Acting Secretary General of the OAP. Thailand is actively exploring SMRs to enhance its energy mix, committed to establishing a robust legal, regulatory, and human resource framework in line with international safety standards.
Globally, SMRs offer smaller sizes, lower upfront costs, and greater flexibility compared to traditional nuclear power plants, potentially broadening access to nuclear energy. Development is ongoing in several countries, with operational units in China and the Russian Federation. Interest surged following a global consensus at COP28 in Dubai in 2023 to expand nuclear energy.
The Thailand SMR School aimed to support countries from Central and Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Participants ranged from those exploring SMRs to those actively preparing for deployment. The five-day program covered technical, regulatory, economic, and infrastructure aspects of SMR development, including energy system planning, safety and licensing, financing, legal frameworks, waste management, emergency preparedness, and stakeholder engagement. The curriculum highlighted both opportunities and practical considerations of SMR adoption.
A session on SMRs’ strategic role in achieving net-zero goals featured officials from OAP, the Thai Ministry of Energy, and representatives from the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand, PTT Public Limited Company, and Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited. Liu Hua, IAEA Deputy Director General, delivered remarks on behalf of IAEA Director General Grossi.
Participants like D. Baltabaev of Uzbekistan’s Uzatom Atomic Energy Agency, preparing to deploy its first SMRs, found the workshop informative. “We came with many questions and left with answers and confidence that SMRs are part of a sustainable, reliable energy future,” he said. Similarly, Noor Mashruddin from Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy, Green Technology, and Water found the experience valuable, appreciating the shared best practices and expert feedback.
Thailand, revisiting nuclear power after previous plans stalled, is now reconsidering SMRs amid changing global and regional dynamics. “The urgency is real,” said Siriwat Chedsi of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. “The technology has improved, prompting renewed, serious interest in nuclear, specifically SMRs.”
The SMR School is part of IAEA’s broader support, including the SMR Platform and Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI), which aid countries in building infrastructure for SMR development, deployment, and oversight. The next SMR School will be in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from August 25-29, with additional sessions planned for 2026.