Today the NEA announced the release of the third edition of the NEA Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Dashboard, which highlights significant progress in developing and deploying SMRs.
For this edition, 74 SMR designs were analysed to assess advancements in the areas of licensing, siting, financing, supply chain, engagement and fuel. NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV, said: “The overarching developments reflected in the NEA SMR Dashboard are clear: the strategic drivers for SMR deployment – rising electricity demand, including from data centres and expanding digital services, energy security imperatives and national goals set by many countries to reduce carbon emissions – are intensifying. SMRs are now a core part of the energy strategies in an increasing number of countries in all parts of the world.”
The assessments show that 51 SMR designs are involved in pre-licensing or licensing processes across 15 countries, and that there are approximately 85 active discussions between SMR developers and site owners worldwide. Progress has also been made in supply chain readiness and financing. Since the last edition of the NEA SMR Dashboard was released in 2024, there has been an 81% increase in the number of SMR designs that have secured at least one source of funding or made announcements of funding commitments.
Seven designs are already either operating or under construction, with a strong pipeline of projects progressing toward first-of-a-kind deployment. The diversity of designs provides potential customers with a healthy range of options, but also presents challenges to regulators and the industrial supply chain. However, the report notes opportunities to streamline global supply chains, promote standardisation and enhance the economic viability of SMRs.
The NEA SMR Dashboard includes information about each SMR design, such as technology concept, configuration, outlet temperature, size and fuel type, including requirements for enrichment. Each design assessment uses information exclusively from verifiable public sources and the assessments benefit from consultations with SMR designers, subject to independent verification, to provide further information.
The NEA SMR Dashboard is now, for the first time, also available as a digital interactive platform, which provides direct access to the NEA’s SMR database. Data for the NEA SMR Digital Dashboard is being collected on an ongoing basis, allowing for more frequent updates to the NEA’s assessments. Data in the third edition of the NEA Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Dashboard reflects developments as of 14 February 2025.
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