The UAE is giving a helping hand to the European nuclear sector: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed an MoU with Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE) — a JV between Polish refiner PKN Orlen and Synthos Green Energy — to look into potential investments in small modular reactors (SMRs), Wam reported on Monday.

How it works: Under the MoU, both parties will be provided with an enabling framework for developing SMRs based on GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300 SMR technology in Poland, the UK, and Central and Eastern Europe to create new clean energy capacity to help meet rising demand for electricity. They will work to determine specific areas of cooperation, with ENEC sharing expertise from its development of UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, building operational readiness, and stakeholder management among others.

About the tech: The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooler natural circulation SMR promoted as a clean energy source with zero carbon emissions, according to OSGE. It lowers scale and complexity, leading to an SMR that is smarter, safer, faster, and less expensive to build and operate. It can be built within two to three years while achieving c. 90% volume reduction in plant layout. It also uses natural circulation and passive isolation condenser systems for a simple and safe operating rhythm.

Part of an ambitious plan by OSGE: The Polish company is looking to deploy the first SMR in Poland by the end of 2030 to complement the country’s shift to nuclear energy to slash carbon emissions and embark on a gradual coal phaseout. Its partner GE-Hitachi holds exclusive rights to deploy the BWRX-300 technology in the country. OSGE’s strategy sees it partnering with the Canadian energy company Ontario Power Generation, which is building the world’s first power plant with BWRX-300 technology, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for a BWRX-300 reactor in Tennesse’s Clinch River.

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